Immunosuppression
A standard immunosuppressive protocol was used in all four trial centers. All patients received induction therapy with basiliximab 20 mg IV given on the day of transplantation and on the fourth postoperative day. All patients received methylprednisolone 500 mg IV at induction of anaesthesia. Maintenance immunosuppression was given as triple therapy with tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid and prednisolone. Tacrolimus was administered at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg/day orally either in two divided doses (adoport) or as a single daily dose (advagraf). Tacrolimus trough blood levels were measured at least twice weekly, and the therapeutic target range in the first 3 months after transplant was 5–10 ng ml