There was no difference in the level of renal function between the two groups over 2 years.
There were also no differences in graft and patient survival, which were 96.9% and 98.4%, respectively, in the diltiazem group and 100% and 100% in the control group. The authors reported that graft loss was recorded in one patient in the diltiazem group, while one patient with a functioning graft died due to septicaemia.
The mean systolic and diastolic BPs and the number of anthypertensives administered were not statistically significantly different between the two groups during the study period.
The overall incidence of side effects was not statistically significantly different between the two groups (23.4% in the diltiazem group versus 15.6% in the control group).
The differences between the two groups in results for serum creatinine and creatinine clearance, tacrolimus dose, the number of tacrolimus dose changes and tacrolimus levels at 2 weeks and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after transplantation were not statistically significant.
The acute rejection rate was similar in the two groups (15%). Ten acute rejection episodes developed in the diltiazem group versus 5 in the control group. No cases of tacrolimus nephrotoxicity were reported in either group.