title: Optimal perioperative immunosuppression in cardiac transplantation using rabbit antithymocyte globulin.
abstract: A randomized trial of RATG (polyclonal) vs. OKT3 (monoclonal) antibody prophylaxis was carried out in 82 cardiac transplant recipients who, in addition, received baseline immunosuppression with cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisone. One-year actuarial survival was comparable between groups (95% and 98%). The incidence of moderate or severe rejection within the first 30 days of transplant was over 7 times greater in patients receiving OKT3 vs. those receiving RATG. Patients receiving OKT3 were more likely to have repeated episodes of rejection and the mean time to rejection for patients receiving OKT3 was shorter (33 days) than for RATG patients (67 days). At 120 days, 52% of RATG patients were free of rejection while only 37% of the OKT3 patients were rejection-free. There was no difference in the incidence of major or minor bacterial or viral infection between groups. Patients receiving OKT3 showed a less-prolonged depression of the CD3 and CD4 T cell subsets than did those receiving RATG. Significant hemodynamic side-effects were seen after the first dose of OKT3 and there was a 5% incidence of aseptic meningitis associated with its use.
authors: Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania.
authors: R L
authors: RL
authors: Kormos
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Armitage
authors: J S
authors: JS
authors: Dummer
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Miyamoto
authors: B P
authors: BP
authors: Griffith
authors: R L
authors: RL
authors: Hardesty
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017252:CD3 Complex; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006084:Graft Rejection; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008581:Meningitis / Q000150:complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D017252:CD3 Complex; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell