The first year post-heart transplantation: Use of immunosuppressive drugs and early complications

Nasir Z. Sulemanjee, Ramanna Merla, Scott D. Lick, Serena M. Aunon, Melissa Taylor, Melissa Manson, Lawrence S.C. Czer, Ernst R. Schwarz

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

A large number of heart transplants are performed annually in different transplant centers in the United States. This is partly because of the improved survival of patients who undergo cardiac transplantation, thus making it a more viable option in the management of end-stage heart failure. The survival benefit after heart transplantation is a result of newer immunosuppressive drug regimens and a better understanding of their effects and interactions. Several studies, mostly involving a small number of patients, describe use and comparison of the many distinct immunosuppressive drugs available to date. Interestingly, many transplant centers perform in-house typical induction treatment regimens because of their own experience and intra-institutional preference. This review summarizes current practices of immunosuppressive drug therapy in the first year post-heart transplant based on the available clinical evidence and discusses future options of heart transplant immunosuppressive drug therapies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)13-31
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2008

Keywords

  • Drugs
  • Heart transplantation
  • Immune suppression
  • Rejection

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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