Cardiovascular Risk Assessment For Kidney Transplantation - Utility of Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography in the Assessment of Patients Awaiting Kidney Transplantation

Cardiovascular disease (for example, heart attack, stroke, heart failure) is the commonest complication of kidney failure. Kidney transplantation reduces cardiovascular risk but cardiovascular disease remains the commonest cause of death in patients following transplantation. Current strategies to assess patient's cardiovascular risk prior to kidney transplantation do not identify those at highest risk and do not improve outcomes. This study will use a heart scan known as computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) to see whether this scan can identify patients at highest risk of future cardiovascular disease prior to transplantation. Studies have shown it is able to do this in patients with normal kidney function. The aim of this study is to develop CTCA as an effective tool to risk stratify patients prior to kidney transplantation.

Inclusion Criteria: * Has kidney failure and is on the waitlist for a kidney transplant * Age 16 years and over * Able to give informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Contraindication to CT scanning, including contrast allergy * Patients being considered for a simultaneous kidney-pancreas, kidney-liver and/or kidney-islet transplantation * Inability to give informed consent