Risk factors and outcome of stroke in renal transplant recipients

Stroke incidence is high in end‐stage renal disease, and risk factors differ between the dialysis and general populations. However, risk factors and outcomes following renal transplantation remain unclear. We analyzed all adult patients with a functioning renal transplant from 01/01/2007 to 12/31/2012. Data were extracted from the electronic patient record. Variables associated with stroke were identified by survival analyses; demographic, clinical, and imaging and laboratory variables were assessed and case fatality determined. Follow‐up was until 05/12/2013. A total of 956 patients were identified (median age 40.1 years, 59.9% male). Atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence was 9.2%, and 38.2% received a transplant during follow‐up. A total of 26 (2.7%) experienced a stroke during 4409 patient‐years of follow‐up (84.6% ischemic). Stroke incidence was 5.96/1000 patient‐years. Factors associated with stroke on regression analysis were prior stroke, diabetes, age, systolic hypertension, and hemoglobin. Atrial fibrillation was associated with time to stroke (P