Abstract: FR-PO0975
Clinical Implications of Cardiovascular Events in Elderly Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Nationwide Cohort Study from South Korea
Session Information
- Transplantation: Clinical - Pretransplantation, Living Donation, and Policies
November 07, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Transplantation
- 2102 Transplantation: Clinical
Authors
- Ryou, Seyoung, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seocho-gu, Korea (the Republic of)
- Eum, Sang Hun, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
- Shin, Seok Joon, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
- Lee, Dong Won, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea (the Republic of)
- Oh, Jieun, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
- Jung, Su Woong, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
- Yang, Jaeseok, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
- Kim, Myoung soo, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
- Yoon, Hye Eun, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
Background
Cardiovascular events (CVEs) affect clinical outcomes in elderly kidney transplantation recipients (KTRs). However, whether age and post-transplant factors affect recipient outcomes remains unclear.
Methods
Data were obtained from the Korea Organ Transplantation Registry, a nationwide cohort study of KTRs. A total of 619 elderly KTRs (age ≥ 65 years) who underwent KT between May 2014 and June 2021 were included. The cumulative incidence and risk factors for CVE were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard model.
Results
A total of 51 CVE cases were identified for 1513.39 person-years (median, 2.00 years). The cumulative 5-year incidence of CVE was 12.50%. KTRs who developed CVE had lower patient survival rate than those without CVE (P < 0.001), while graft survival did not differ. At baseline, a history of cardiovascular disease was a significant predictor for CVE (hazard ratio [HR], 3.407; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.154–10.061; P = 0.027), while age did not affect the development of CVE. At post-KT 6 months, higher levels of glucose (HR, 1.013; 95% CI, 1.004–1.022; P = 0.004) and triglycerides (HR, 1.010; 95% CI, 1.002–1.017; P = 0.012), and lower hemoglobin (HR, 0.630; 95% CI, 0.430–0.924; P = 0.018) were associated with a higher risk of CVE. A subgroup analysis showed a significant increase in CVE incidence who developed posttransplant diabetes by log-rank test (p = 0.022), and time-varying Cox regression analysis showed posttransplant diabetes was significantly associated with CVE (HR, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.101 – 10.805; P = 0.034).
Conclusion
In elderly KTRs, CVE was associated with lower patient survival but did not affect graft survival. While age was not an independent predictor for CVE, pretransplant cardiovascular disease, and post-KT factors including high glucose and triglycerides levels and low hemoglobin were responsible for CVE.