Induction therapy in cardiac transplantation: when and why?
Induction therapy has continued to be a subject of controversy in heart transplantation for more than 20 years. It is an example of a therapy that is logical, and ought to be better than "doing without." However, a careful review of the evidence suggests otherwise. Except for patients where the benefits clearly outweigh the short and long-term risks, the use of induction therapy should be avoided. In immunosuppression, as in life, there is no "free lunch." Clinicians need to be certain they fully understand what they are ordering when asking for induction therapy to be administered to their patients.
Baran
David A
DA
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, NJ 07112, USA. dbaran@sbhcs.com
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016853:Muromonab-CD3 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016853:Muromonab-CD3; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D016572:Cyclosporine; C512542:thymoglobulin