Analysis of the causes of death and preventive measures in renal transplant recipients

  Objective   To analyze the cause of death in renal transplant recipients and to investigate the preventive measures.

  Method   Clinical data of 6 death cases were retrospectively analyzed, who underwent renal transplantation in the Department of Urinary Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from August 2007 to March 2013. The causes of death were analyzed combined with associated literatures.

  Result   In 6 dead cases, the causes of death were abandoning treatment for graft failure or repeated complication in 3 cases, acute cardiovascular event in 1 case, pulmonary infection in 1 case, and fulminant hepatic failure in 1 case.

  Conclusion   Abandoning treatment, pulmonary infection, acute cardiovascular event and fulminant hepatic failure are the important reasons for death of renal transplant recipients. The reason of abandoning treatment is graft failure or repeated complication after transplantation. It is an important preventing measure that physicians cooperate with family members to strengthen the psychological counseling with patients and prompt them to comply the treatments.