EARLY RENAL GRAFT FUNCTION IN RECIPIENTS TREATED WITH THE CALCIUM-CHANNEL BLOCKER FELODIPINE

Calcium channel blocking agents (CCB) differ in molecular structure and effects. Each must therefore be evaluated separately. Out of 139 patients who received cadaveric kidney transplants between March 1990 and December 1991 22 were treated with the CCB agent felodipine as antihypertensive therapy on admission and post transplant. The early function of their grafts was compared with that of grafts to patients not treated with any CCB agent pre or post transplant (n = 38). There were no other significant differences in patient or donor characteristics. In the felodipine treated group, 18/22 showed immediate onset of graft function vs 20/38 in the non CCB group (p = 0.02). Dialysis post transplant was required by one felodipine-treated patient vs 12 in the non CCB group. Serum creatinine on day 7 was lower in felodipine treated patients, median 155 vs 259 mu mol/l Felodipine treatment did not seem to cause any significant interaction with cyclosporin A (CyA). The frequency and severity of acute rejection did not differ between the groups.