The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a significant challenge to physicians and healthcare systems worldwide. Evidence about kidney transplant (KTx) recipients is still limited. A systematic literature review was performed. We included 63 articles published from 1 January until 7 July 2020, reporting on 420 adult KTx recipients with confirmed COVID-19. The mean age of patients was 55 ± 15 years. There was a male predominance (67%). The majority (74%) were deceased donor recipients, and 23% were recently transplanted (<1 year). Most patients (88%) had at least one comorbidity, 29% had two, and 18% three. Ninety-three percent of cases were hospitalized. Among them, 30% were admitted to the intensive care unit, 45% developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, and 44% had acute kidney injury with 23% needing renal replacement therapy. From the hospitalized patients a total of 22% died, 59% were discharged, and 19% were still in hospital at the time of publication. Immunosuppression was reduced in 27%, discontinued in 31%, and remained unchanged in 5%. Hydroxychloroquine was administered to 78% of patients, antibiotics to 73%, and antivirals to 30% while 25% received corticosteroid boluses, 28% received anti-interleukin agents, and 8% were given immunoglobulin. The main finding of our analysis was that the incidence of COVID-19 among kidney transplant patients is not particularly high, but when they do get infected, this is related to significant morbidity and mortality.

Background: Hypertension is the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Preliminary data suggest similar ambulatory blood pressure (BP) levels in KTRs and haemodialysis (HD) patients. This is the first study comparing the full ambulatory BP profile and short-term BP variability (BPV) in KTRs versus HD patients. Methods: A total of 204 KTRs were matched (2:1 ratio) with 102 HD patients for age and gender. BP levels, BP trajectories and BPV indices over a 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) in KTRs were compared against both the first and second 24-h periods of a standard 48-h ABPM in HD patients. To evaluate the effect of renal replacement treatment and time on ambulatory BP levels, a two-way ANOVA for repeated measurements was performed. Results: KTRs had significantly lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse-pressure (PP) levels compared with HD patients during all periods studied (24-h SBP: KTR: 126.5 ± 12.1 mmHg; HD first 24 h: 132.0 ± 18.1 mmHg; P = 0.006; second 24 h: 134.3 ± 17.7 mmHg; P < 0.001); no significant differences were noted for diastolic blood pressure levels with the exception of the second nighttime. Repeated measurements ANOVA showed a significant effect of renal replacement therapy modality and time on ambulatory SBP levels during all periods studied, and a significant interaction between them; the greatest between-group difference in BP (KTRs–HD in mmHg) was observed at the end of the second 24 h [–13.9 mmHg (95% confidence interval –21.5 to –6.2); P < 0.001]. Ambulatory systolic and diastolic BPV indices were significantly lower in KTRs than in HD patients during all periods studied (24-h SBP average real variability: KTRs: 9.6 ± 2.3 mmHg; HD first 24 h: 10.3 ± 3.0 mmHg; P = 0.032; second 24 h: 11.5 ± 3.0 mmHg; P < 0.001). No differences were noted in dipping pattern between the two groups. Conclusions: SBP and PP levels and trajectories, and BPV were significantly lower in KTRs compared with age- and gender-matched HD patients during all periods studied. These findings suggest a more favourable ambulatory BP profile in KTRs, in contrast to previous observations.

Objectives: Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) control is worse in men compared with women with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and this may partially explain the faster CKD progression in men. This is the first study investigating possible sex differences in prevalence, control and phenotypes of hypertension in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with office-BP and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 136 male and 69 female stable KTRs who underwent office-BP measurements and 24-h ABPM. Hypertension thresholds for office and ambulatory BP were defined according to the 2017 ACC/AHA and 2021 KDIGO guidelines for KTRs. Results: Age, time from transplantation, eGFR and history of major comorbidities did not differ between groups. Office SBP/DBP levels were insignificantly higher in men than women (130.3 ± 16.3/77.3 ± 9.4 vs. 126.4 ± 17.8/74.9 ± 11.5 mmHg; P = 0.118/0.104) but daytime SBP/DBP was significantly higher in men (128.5 ± 12.1/83.0 ± 8.2 vs. 124.6 ± 11.9/80.3 ± 9.3 mmHg; P = 0.032/P = 0.044). No significant between-group differences were detected for night-time BP. The prevalence of hypertension was similar by office-BP criteria (93.4 vs. 91.3%; P = 0.589), but higher in men than women with ABPM (100 vs. 95.7%; P = 0.014). The use of ACEIs/ARBs and CCBs was more common in men. Office-BP control was similar (43.3 vs. 44.4%, P = 0.882), but 24-h control was significantly lower in men than women (16.9 vs. 30.3%; P = 0.029). White-coat hypertension was similar (5.1 vs. 7.6%; P = 0.493), whereas masked hypertension was insignificantly more prevalent in men than women (35.3 vs. 24.2%; P = 0.113). Conclusion: BP levels, hypertension prevalence and control are similar by office criteria but significantly different by ABPM criteria between male and female KTRs. Worse ambulatory BP control in male compared with female KTRs may interfere with renal and cardiovascular outcomes.

Background: Hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk factor in both kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is considered the gold-standard method for hypertension management in these subjects. This is the first study evaluating the full ambulatory blood pressure (BP) profile and short-term BP variability (BPV) in KTRs versus CKD patients without kidney replacement therapy. Methods: Ninety-three KTRs were matched with 93 CKD patients for age, sex, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. All participants underwent 24-hour ABPM. Mean ambulatory BP levels, BP trajectories, and BPV indices (standard deviation [SD], weighted SD, and average real variability) were compared between the two groups. Results: There were no significant between-group differences in 24-hour systolic BP (SBP)/diastolic BP (DBP) (KTRs: 126.9 ± 13.1/79.1 ± 7.9 mmHg vs. CKD: 128.1 ± 11.2/77.9 ± 8.1 mmHg, p = 0.52/0.29), daytime SBP/DBP and nighttime SBP; nighttime DBP was slightly higher in KTRs (KTRs: 76.5 ± 8.8 mmHg vs. CKD: 73.8 ± 8.8 mmHg, p = 0.04). Repeated measurements analysis of variance showed a significant effect of time on both ambulatory SBP and DBP (SBP: F = [19, 3002] = 11.735, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.069) but not of KTR/CKD status (SBP: F = [1, 158] = 0.668, p = 0.42, partial η2 = 0.004). Ambulatory systolic/diastolic BPV indices were not different between KTRs and CKD patients, except for 24-hour DBP SD that was slightly higher in the latter group (KTRs: 10.2 ± 2.2 mmHg vs. CKD: 10.9 ± 2.6 mmHg, p = 0.04). No differences were noted in dipping pattern between the two groups. Conclusion: Mean ambulatory BP levels, BP trajectories, and short-term BPV indices are not significantly different between KTRs and CKD patients, suggesting that KTRs have a similar ambulatory BP profile compared to CKD patients without kidney replacement therapy.

Introduction: Kidney transplantation (KTx) is associated with improved blood pressure (BP) levels for kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) without evoking significant changes in donors. However, there is a paucity of studies offering simultaneous detailed evaluation of BP profiles over time in transplant donor–recipient pairs. The aim of the present study was the parallel evaluation of ambulatory BP levels and trajectories in KTRs and their respective living kidney donors in the short and mid-term following KTx.Methods: The study enrolled 40 prospective adult KTRs and their 40 respective donors. All participants were evaluated with 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (Mobil-O-Graph NG device) at three time points: baseline (1 month before KTx), 3 months and 12 months after KTx.Results: In KTRs, 3-month 24-h systolic BP (SBP) was marginally reduced and 12-month 24-h SBP significantly reduced compared with baseline [131.9 ± 13.3 versus 126.4 ± 11.9 mmHg (P = .075) and 123.9 ± 10.3 mmHg (P = .009), respectively]. At both the 3- and 12-month time points, 24-h diastolic BP (DBP) was significantly reduced [86.7 ± 11.5 versus 82.2 ± 8.1 mmHg (P = .043) and 80.3 ± 8.5 mmHg (P = .009)]. Similar observations were made for day- and night time SBP and DBP. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant gradual decrease over time in mean 24-h SBP [F(1.463, 39.505) = 3.616; P = .049, partial η2 = 0.118] and DBP [F(1.374, 37.089) = 11.34; P = .055, partial η2 = 0.116]. In contrast, in kidney donors, 24-h SBP [118.5 ± 11.6 versus 118.2 ± 12.8 mmHg (P = .626) and 119.2 ± 11.4 mmHg (P = .748)] and DBP did not change at 3 or 12 months compared with baseline; repeated measures ANOVA showed no differences in the mean 24-h SBP and DBP levels over time. The number of antihypertensive agents decreas in KTRs and remained stable in donors.Conclusions: KTx reduces ambulatory BP levels and trajectories in KTRs at 3 months and further so at 12 months post-surgery. Kidney donation does not affect the ambulatory BP levels and trajectories of donors at the same intervals.

Background: Since December 2019, kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) have experienced a great impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with a higher risk of morbidity and mortality compared to the general population. Preliminary data in KTRs suggest that the Omicron variant, which has been dominant since December 2021, is more infectious than the previous ones but is associated with reduced risk of severity and low lethality rates. The purpose of our study was to assess the disease course and outcomes of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in KTRs during the Omicron-surge. Methods: This retrospective study included 451 KTRs diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection between 1 December 2021 and 30 September 2022. Demographic and clinical characteristics at the time of infection, vaccination data, treatment, clinical course, and outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Results: Mean age was 51.8 ± 13.7 years with a male predominance (61.2%). The majority (76.1%) were vaccinated with at least three doses of the available mRNA vaccines, although serology revealed low anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers before infection (33 [3.3–1205] AU/mL). Only 6% of the patients experienced moderate–severe disease. Accordingly, there was low prevalence of adverse outcomes, such as SARS-CoV-2-related hospitalization (11.3%) and death (0.9%). Multivariate analysis revealed that only age significantly increased the risk of SARS-CoV-2-related hospitalization. Conclusions: During the Omicron wave, the clinical course of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in KTRs has substantially changed, with lower rates of moderate and severe disease and a low prevalence of adverse outcomes. Prospective clinical trials are warranted to further elucidate the evolving pathogenesis, management, and long-term outcomes of COVID-19 in such high-risk populations.