Prevalence and causes of hypertension late after renal transplantation.

We analysed the prevalence and causes of hypertension in 77 patients followed greater than or equal to 7 years after renal transplantation. Prevalence of hypertension remains stable, around 55 per cent, up to 11 years post-transplant. Age, sex, type of original nephropathy, graft source or prednisolone dosage are not related to hypertension; body weight is greater in hypertensive patients. Presence of native kidneys is responsible for hypertension in about one-quarter of non-nephrectomised patients. No renal artery stenosis was observed in this group. At seven years, serum creatinine is greater in hypertensive patients, suggesting that graft dysfunction is an important cause of hypertension in long term survivors.