Endothelial Dysfunction in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients With and Without Failed Renal Transplants

Abstract

Background. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is a common, early abnormality that predisposes patients to develop atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events; inflammation is associated with atherosclerosis and malnutrition. Patients with failed transplants are usually complicated by inflammation; however, ED in this group of patients has not been well defined. In this cross-sectional study, we sought to investigate ED among naive peritoneal dialysis (nPD) patients who were never transplanted as well as patients with failed renal transplants who were re-starting peritoneal dialysis (fTxPD).