Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) in a heart transplant recipient treated by substitution of cyclosporine A with tacrolimus.
Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) is one of the important adverse events following organ transplantation, associated with calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs). We describe a case of 54-year-old woman, who was diagnosed with RPLS within weeks after transplantation. Considering the risk of causing fatal rejection by discontinuation of CNIs, the immunosuppressive regimen of the patient was switched from a cyclosporine A-based regimen to a tacrolimus-based regimen. The patient recovered rapidly from RPLS following the switch to tacrolimus. This case demonstrated that not only discontinuation but also a substitution of CNIs would be a valid treatment option for RPLS in transplant recipients.
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan.
Noboru
N
Oda
Tomoko S
TS
Kato
Akihisa
A
Hanatani
Kazuo
K
Niwaya
Takeshi
T
Nakatani
Hatsue
H
Ishibashi-Ueda
Soichiro
S
Kitamura
Kazuhiko
K
Hashimura
Masafumi
M
Kitakaze
Kazuo
K
Komamura
D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000188:drug therapy; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D054038:Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014180:Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016572:Cyclosporine; D016559:Tacrolimus