Peptic ulceration in kidney transplantation.

Gastroduodenal ulceration occurred in 45 patients during the post-transplantation period in a series of 500 transplantations of 434 patients. The mortality rate of this complication was high, 42%. Bleeding and perforation were the main problems. These complications occurred frequently during treatment for acute rejection. Present day prophylaxis, which is based on the use of antacids, seems to be inadequate for controlling these complications. Other possibilities for reducing the incidence of gastroduodenal ulceration in transplant patients are discussed. Since increased serum gastrin concentrations are often observed in these patients, prophylactic treatment should be based on preoperative evaluation of gastric secretion and serum gastrin determinations. The new histamine (H2) blocking agents should be evaluated in these patients.