Cardiovascular Evaluation Before Renal Transplantation

Cardiovascular Diagnostic Before Renal Transplantation: a Prospective Study to Assess Cardiovascular Morbidity Before Renal Transplantation and to Improve Standard Diagnostic Procedures.

Due to rising importance of cardiovascular disease before and after renal transplantation we have changed our standard diagnostic procedure and perform stress echocardiography and myocardial scintigraphy. We would like to monitor these results and the outcome of our patients.

Chronic kidney disease is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Patients waiting for a renal transplantation usually undergo an extensive diagnostic procedure to avoid complications after transplantation such as neoplasia or inflammation. In the past years, cardiovascular complications before and after renal transplantation have gained more attention. We therefore have changed our standard diagnostic procedure before renal transplantation and perform stress echocardiography and myocardial scintigraphy. Thus we would like to evaluate our new standard diagnostic procedure and observe the results of these diagnostic procedures as well as their impact on clinical outcome.

Inclusion Criteria:

• endstage renal disease
• preparing for renal transplantation

Exclusion Criteria:

• children (< 18 years)
• women who are pregnant or nursing
• patients who are also awaiting heart transplantation or have already a heart transplant
• severe mental illness