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Kidney Transplant

Followup

Nephrologist Begins Therapy

An ultrasound showed excellent blood flow into Sam's transplanted kidney and also indicated a normal-appearing kidney with no fluid collection around it. The primary nephrologist immediately increased the levels of prednisone and cyclosporine. After three days, blood tests did not show improvement on the oral anti-rejection medications so he admitted Sam to the hospital to receive an intravenous form of concentrated prednisone to treat rejection. Additionally, he consulted by phone with the transplant center nephrologist who had followed Sam the first few months after the transplant.

After three days of IV steroid therapy, the lab results had not improved. The primary and transplant nephrologists agreed that Sam should be admitted to the transplant center for further testing and evaluation.