title: A comparison of tacrolimus and cyclosporine in liver transplantation: effects on renal function and cardiovascular risk status.
abstract: A retrospective chart review of 1065 consecutive liver allograft recipients in 11 centers from January 1997 to September 1998 was performed. Patients were followed for 3 years or until graft loss. Patients received either tacrolimus (n = 594), cyclosporine (n = 450) or no calcineurin inhibitor (n = 21). Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores at time of transplant were similar between the two groups. During follow-up, more patients switched from cyclosporine to tacrolimus (26.7%) than from tacrolimus to cyclosporine (12.8%; p < 0.0001). Patient and graft survival were equivalent. Corticosteroid use was more common in cyclosporine-treated patients (p < 0.00001). Patients receiving tacrolimus experienced lower serum creatinine levels at months 3 through 36 (p < 0.0001). Systolic blood pressure was lower in patients receiving tacrolimus (p < 0.001) despite a reduced requirement for anti-hypertensive agents (p < 0.0001). In addition, tacrolimus was associated with lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels for months 3 through 24 and 3 through 12, respectively (p < 0.01), despite a reduced requirement for anti-hyperlipidemic agents. The incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus was similar in both groups. While both calcineurin inhibitors were associated with excellent patient and graft survival, renal function, blood pressure and serum lipid levels were significantly better with tacrolimus treatment.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, WI, USA. mrl@medicine.wisc.edu
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Lucey
authors.forename: Manal F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Abdelmalek
authors.forename: Rosemarie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gagliardi
authors.forename: Darla
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Granger
authors.forename: Curtis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Holt
authors.forename: Igal
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kam
authors.forename: Goran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Klintmalm
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Langnas
authors.forename: Kirti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tzakis
authors.forename: E Steve
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Woodle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007511:Ischemia; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; D016572:Cyclosporine; D002784:Cholesterol; D016559:Tacrolimus