Left ventricular function before and after kidney transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate left ventricular function by echocardiography before and after kidney transplantation (KT).

METHODS: This analytical study included 50 patients that had successful KT in Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Babol, Iran from October 2005 to December 2007. The echocardiography study was performed by one cardiologist before and at least 3 months after KT. Data were analyzed by SPSS, and a p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 33.94 ± 11.66 years, 66% were male and 56% less than 45 years old. The ejection fraction and stroke volume after KT increased, however, the left ventricular end diastolic volume, left ventricular end systolic volume, left ventricular end systolic dimension, and left ventricular end diastolic diameter decreased.

CONCLUSION: In patients with end stage renal disease, successful kidney transplantation could improve the function of the left ventricle. In patients with end stage renal disease, successful kidney transplantation could improve the function of the left ventricle.