Non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors after kidney transplantation

Kidney transplantation remains the best treatment option for patients with end-stage kidney disease, offering superior outcomes and improved quality of life. However, as in the general population, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality among kidney transplant recipients. While traditional cardiovascular risk factors-such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and tobacco use-are prevalent in this population, they are often compounded by transplant-specific and non-traditional risk factors unique to the post-transplant setting. This review aims to explore these non-traditional and transplant-related cardiovascular risk factors, including allograft dysfunction and acute rejection episodes. Moreover, we will provide an overview of the cardiovascular implications of immunosuppressive therapy, including its association with opportunistic infections such as cytomegalovirus. Finally, we will touch upon considerations for special populations of kidney transplant recipients based on our current understanding of these non-traditional cardiovascular risks with the currently available data.