Long-term benefits of mycophenolate mofetil after heart transplantation.
Transplant coronary artery disease and malignancy are the major limitations to survival after heart transplantation. In a randomized trial, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) significantly improved 3-year survival over azathioprine, but the expected reduction in intracoronary ultrasound evidence of vasculopathy was not found on initial analysis using unmatched sites. On reanalysis using matched sites, a highly significant reduction in maximum intimal thickness was shown with MMF. Malignancy was numerically but not significantly lower at 3 years; in open label experience up to 7 years, it is diminished by 37% on MMF. MMF protects heart transplant recipients against both vasculopathy and malignancy.
Keogh
Anne
A
Heart Transplant Unit, St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia. amkeogh@stvincents.com.au
D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology; D017741:Survivors
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid