The effect of ACE inhibitor and angiotensin II blocker therapy on early posttransplant kidney graft function

Background: It is unknown whether continuation of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin II (ATII) blocker therapy after kidney transplantation has an influence on early kidney graft function. Methods: We compared early postoperative graft function between 260 cadaveric kidney transplant recipients, either with or without peritransplantation ACE inhibitor/ATII blocker therapy. Regression analysis was used to show the influence of variables interfering with posttransplantation serum creatinine levels. The effect of different variables on the occurrence of delayed graft function (DGF) was analyzed by means of stepwise logistic regression. Improvement in kidney function during the first week after transplantation was compared between groups by means of Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results: Intake of an ACE inhibitor or ATII blocker did not influence immediate posttransplantation graft function or the occurrence of DGF. Conversely, serum creatinine levels decreased significantly faster in patients administered an ACE inhibitor/ATII blocker than in those without therapy (P < 0.01). The only variables delaying graft function were number of previous transplantations, cold ischemia time, and male sex. Among patients with DGF, those with ACE inhibitor/ATII blocker therapy had significantly faster graft recovery (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our results suggest that intake of an ACE inhibitor or ATII blocker during the immediate posttransplantation course is safe and does not impair graft function. Additionally, patients with DGF might profit from blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which possibly shortens the time to graft recovery.