Monitoring and Prevention of Renal Dysfunction in Cardiac Transplant Recipients

Renal dysfunction is a common problem in cardiac transplant recipients who receive the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporine. Elevation in serum creatinine levels and other indicators of renal dysfunction often appear during the first year after transplant. Related problems of hypertension and gout also arc common. Specific strategies to minimize the nephrotoxic effects of cyclosporine and other potential insults to renal function can be used by nurses, physicians, and other health team members. Preservation of renal function enhances a patient’s overall functional status and improves survival and quality of life for cardiac transplant recipients