Ace-inhibition for the preservation of renal function and patient survival in kidney transplantation

Patients with end-stage kidney disease can be treated with long-term dialysis or receive a kidney transplant. Research has shown that patients who receive a kidney transplant have an improvement in survival and quality of life. Unfortunately, over a third of transplants fail prematurely. In this controlled trial, we will determine if ramipril allows the kidney transplant to function longer and improves survival. If ramipril is found to be effective, its use will decrease the number of kidney transplants that fail thereby decreasing the number of patients who must return to dialysis. Such improvements in survival and quality of life for the growing number of patients with end-stage kidney disease would represent an important advance in the management of this very disabling and lethal long-term condition.