Survival after heart transplantation without regular immunosuppression.
The case of a young woman who discontinued regular immunosuppression 4 years after heart transplantation is described. A year later she became unwell and explained her actions. A cardiac biopsy showed changes of focal moderate rejection, which responded to treatment, and she is presently in good health.
Department of Cardiology, Green Lane Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
P N
PN
Ruygrok
T M
TM
Agnew
H A
HA
Coverdale
C
C
Whitfield
N K
NK
Lambie
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology; D015996:Survival Rate; D016312:Treatment Refusal; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011239:Prednisolone; D001379:Azathioprine; D008775:Methylprednisolone