Immunosuppressive therapy following orthotopic heart transplantation

    ZHENG Qiª²Jun, CAI Zhenª²Jie, YU Shiª²Qiang, WANG Xiaoª²Wu, LIU Weiª²Yong

    Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi¬ðan 710033, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and to summarize the experience of immunosuppressive therapy following orthotopic heart transplantation. METHODS: Twentyª²six cases of othotopic heart transplantation were performed from January 2000 to October 2003. Of them, 17 cases received triple therapy of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone postoperation and 9 cases received triple therapy of cyclosporine A, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone psotoperation. RESULTS: Among the 26 cases, 23 patients survived with good quality of life, 6 patients suffered from 11 episodes of acute rejection, which were reversed after impacting therapy. The main sideª²effects were abnormal renal function, hypertension and hyperglycemia. CONCLUSION: Both the triple therapy of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone and the triple therapy of cyclosporine A, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone after orthotopic heart transplantation are of fairly good therapeutic efficacy. But the sideª²effects of drugs should be monitored closely. ......