title: Antithymocyte globulin induction allows a prolonged delay in the initiation of cyclosporine in heart transplant patients with postoperative renal dysfunction.
abstract: The authors evaluated the efficacy of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) induction and delayed initiation of cyclosporine (CsA) in heart transplant (HTx) patients with postoperative renal dysfunction (RD). The authors compared 15 adult HTx patients with postoperative RD (serum creatinine [SCr] > or =150 microM) to 17 controls without postoperative RD. ATG was given daily (1.5 mg/kg/day for 5 days) in controls and every 2 to 5 days in RD patients (total lymphocyte count <200/mm). All patients received corticosteroids and mycophenolate mofetil. The initiation of CsA was delayed in RD patients until SCr had decreased to less than 150 microM (day 12 +/- 8 vs. 2 +/- 1, P<0.0001). One-year patient survival and acute rejection rates were 87% and 27% in RD patients and 88% and 59% in controls, respectively (P=not significant). SCr improved in RD patients and did not differ from controls after the first month. The authors' results suggest that marked prolongation of the period of ATG induction permits a safe delay in the initiation of CsA in HTx patients with postoperative RD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University Health Center, 687 Pine Avenue West, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A1, Canada. marcelo.cantarovich@muhc.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cantarovich
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giannetti
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barkun
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cecere
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D003404:Creatinine; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid