Thymoglobulin induction and steroid avoidance in cardiac transplantation: results of a prospective, randomized, controlled study.
Clin Transplant
; 22(1): 76-81, 2008.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18251036
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Chronic use of corticosteroids (CS) following transplantation is associated with significant long-term morbidities. Minimizing exposure to CS to improve long-term outcomes, without compromising allograft function, remains an important goal in transplantation.OBJECTIVES:
This single-center, prospective, randomized, open-label study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Thymoglobulin as part of a CS-sparing regimen in cardiac transplantation.METHODS:
Thirty-two low-risk cardiac transplant patients were randomized in a 11 ratio to receive either a Thymoglobulin-based CS-avoidance regimen (CS-avoidance group; n = 16) or a long-term CS-based regimen with no antibody induction (control group; n = 16). Pulse CS therapy was used for the treatment of acute cellular rejection in both groups.RESULTS:
Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. At one yr, there was no significant difference in the mean incidence of acute cellular rejection (>or=3A) episodes between the CS-avoidance and control groups, 0.81+/-1.05 and 1.07+/-1.03, respectively. Importantly, the CS-avoidance patients had significant improvement in muscle strength and less bone loss compared with the control patients during the first six months post-transplant.CONCLUSIONS:
CS-avoidance regimen with Thymoglobulin induction appeared to be safe and effective in cardiac transplantation. Further studies are required to demonstrate the long-term safety and benefits of such a regimen.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Transplante de Coração
/
Anticorpos Monoclonais
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
/
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Clin Transplant
Assunto da revista:
TRANSPLANTE
Ano de publicação:
2008
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos