Long-Term Management of the Kidney Transplant Recipient

Due to the successes of kidney transplantation, patients with allografts are enjoying long-term survival. In addition to care of the allograft with lifelong administration of immunosuppressive medications, common medical conditions must be recognized and managed appropriately. With constraints on the transplant centers and patient considerations of finance and geography, it is recognized that community providers will play an ever increasing role in the care of the kidney transplant recipient. Guidelines for understanding and managing some of the more important common general medical problems, including care as it relates to cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, transplant-related issues, and general health maintenance, are reviewed in this article.