Use of Eculizumab in Transplant-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy in a Patient With Polycystic Kidney Disease Immediately Post-Kidney Transplant: A Case Report.

Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in the post-organ transplantation setting occurs from a number of potential inciting factors, such as the use of calcineurin inhibitors, ischemic injury, infections, or antibody-mediated rejection leading to unchecked complement activation and end-organ damage. Delayed recognition of this condition can result in allograft loss. In this case description, we describe the first case of de novo TMA in a patient with polycystic kidney disease that occurred immediately after kidney transplantation. The diagnosis was made promptly on the basis of clinical and laboratory characteristics by a multidisciplinary team and confirmed through kidney biopsy, which showed acute TMA. The patient was successfully managed by replacing tacrolimus with belatacept, which targets cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4, and use of eculizumab, a C5 inhibitor. Eculizumab treatment was discontinued after 3 months of complement inhibition on the patient's request, and relapse of TMA has not been encountered after more than 1 year of follow-up.

Clinical Controversy in Transplantation: Tacrolimus Versus Cyclosporine in Statin Drug Interactions.

Objective: To review the available literature that provides evidence for the absence of statin interactions with tacrolimus compared with cyclosporine. Data Sources: A literature search of PubMed was performed (1990 to June 2019) using the following search terms: calcineurin inhibitors, tacrolimus, cyclosporine, statins, atorvastatin, simvastatin, and drug interactions. Clinical practice guidelines, article bibliographies, drug interaction database references, and product monographs were also reviewed. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Relevant English-language studies describing the mechanism of interaction, the magnitude of pharmacokinetic alterations, and safety were evaluated. In vitro data and studies conducted in adult humans were considered. Data Synthesis: Studies demonstrate pharmacokinetic differences between cyclosporine and tacrolimus, particularly with regard to inhibition of 2 hepatic transporters: P-glycoprotein and organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP). Compared with cyclosporine, tacrolimus does not affect these transporters, does not enhance statin exposure, and does not increase statin-associated safety events. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: Clinical practice guidelines allude to the need to reduce statin doses in the setting of tacrolimus. Some providers have adopted this practice, and doing so may prevent transplant recipients from attaining cardiovascular benefit, especially when increased or high-intensity doses are required. The pharmacokinetic differences between tacrolimus and cyclosporine highlight different interaction potential with statins. Conclusions: Clinicians need to be aware that tacrolimus and cyclosporine are not the same with regard to causing drug interactions with statins. Tacrolimus can be used with statins without the need for dose adjustments because of lack of an interaction.

Achieving blood pressure control among renal transplant recipients by integrating electronic health technology and clinical pharmacy services.

PURPOSE: The implementation and outcomes of a program combining electronic home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) and pharmacist-provided medication therapy management (MTM) services in a renal transplantation clinic are described. SUMMARY: Patients enrolled in the program were provided with a computer-enabled blood pressure monitor. A dedicated renal transplantation pharmacist was integrated into the renal transplantation team under a collaborative care practice agreement. The collaborative care agreement allowed the pharmacist to authorize medication additions, deletions, and dosage changes. Comprehensive disease and blood pressure education was provided by a clinical pharmacist. In the pretransplantation setting, the pharmacist interviewed the renal transplant candidate and documents allergies, verified the patient's medication profile, and identified and assessed barriers to medication adherence. A total of 50 renal transplant recipients with at least one recorded home blood pressure reading and at least one year of follow-up were included in our analysis. A significant reduction in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were observed at 30, 90, 180, and 360 days after enrollment in the program (p < 0.05). Pharmacist interventions were documented for 37 patients. Medication-related problems accounted for 46% of these interventions and included dosage modifications, regimen changes, and mitigation of barriers to medication access and adherence. CONCLUSION: Implementation of electronic HBPM and pharmacist-provided MTM services implemented in a renal transplant clinic was associated with sustained improvements in blood pressure control. Incorporation of a pharmacist in the renal transplant clinic resulted in the detection and resolution of medication-related problems.