Kidney function and liver transplantation

Introduction: In liver cirrhosis renal function decreases as well. Hepatorenal syndrome is the most frequent cause of the decrease, but primary kidney failure, diabetes mellitus and some diseases underlying endstage liver failure (such as hepatitis C virus infection) can also play an important role. In liver transplantation several further factors (total cross-clamping of vena cava inferior, polytransfusion, immunosuppression) impair the renal function, too. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse the changes in kidney function during the first postoperative year after liver transplantation. Method: Retrospective data analysis was performed after primary liver transplantations (n = 319). Results: impaired preoperative renal function increased the devepolment of postoperative complications and the first year cumulative patient survival was significantly worse (91,7% vs 69,9%; p< 0,001) in this group. If renal function of the patients increased above 60 ml/min/1,73 m(2) after the first year, patient survival was better. Independently of the preoperative kidney function, 76% of the patients had impaired kidney function at the first postoperative year. In this group, de novo diabetes mellitus was more frequently diagnosed (22,5% vs 9,5%; p = 0,023). Conclusions: Selection of personalized immunosuppressive medication has a positive effect on renal function.