Effect of Kidney Transplant Type on Coronary Endothelial Function in Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a markedly increased cardiovascular risk, largely due to persistent endothelial dysfunction (ED). Kidney transplantation improves cardiovascular status, but whether transplant type-living donor (LDT) or cadaver donor transplantation (CDT)-differentially affects coronary endothelial function remains unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this prospective observational study, 75 kidney transplant recipients (LDT: n=50; CDT: n=25) and 25 healthy controls (HC) underwent CFVR measurement at baseline (CFVR-1) and 6 months post-transplantation (CFVR-2). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LV-EF), diameters, and NT-proBNP were also assessed. Group comparisons and pre-/post-transplant changes were analyzed. RESULTS Baseline CFVR was higher in HC than in transplant groups (p0.05), but CFVR-1 0.05). A ≥10% EF increase occurred in 36% of patients in each group. CONCLUSIONS Kidney transplantation improves coronary endothelial function and cardiac performance regardless of donor type, though severe baseline CFVR impairment is more common in cadaveric recipients.