Does angiotensin blockade influence graft outcome in renal transplant recipients with IgA nephropathy?
Background. IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a frequent cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and recurrent disease causes deterioration and graft loss in transplant recipients. No definitive management is known to reduce the risk or severity of recurrent IgAN, and the evidence to support the use of renin angiotensin system blockade in such patients is limited. Methods. All 1137 renal transplants performed at the Belfast City Hospital over a 27-year period were reviewed. A total of 75 patients with ESRD due to biopsy-proven IgAN were identified; 39 of them had been prescribed an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or angiotensin-II type I receptor blocker (ARB). Results. The two groups were well-matched in terms of demographic details, immunosuppressive regimens and duration of follow-up (median 65 months, range 18 261 months). The 5- and 10-year graft survivals were higher in those prescribed ACEi/ARB therapy compared with those who were not, although these differences did not r
