Nurse Management of Posttransplant Hypertension in Liver Transplant Patients

Review of the Literature Hypertension after transplantation poses special challenges. Early in the postoperative course, the patient often experiences rapid and sustained rises in BP and loss of diurnal fall or rises in nocturnal BP, which may require prompt intervention to prevent intracranial and cardiovascular complications.6-8 Antihypertensive treatment is complicated by potential interference with the metabolism of cyclosporine or FK506, resistance to certain antihypertensive medications, and the occurrence of multiple adverse reactions such as peripheral edema, tachycardia, weight gain, and dyspnea.9 Renal dysfunction associated with the use of cyclosporine or FK506 may further complicate BP control by limiting the use of antihypertensive agents known to affect renal function such as diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Concomitant diseases, organ rejection, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections combined with BP lability present early and long-term BP management challenges. Extensive patient education is required to increase awareness, identify additional cardiovascular risk factors, enhance Nurse management of posttransplant hypertension in liver transplant patients