RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Reducing immunosuppression not only reduces complications but also may lessen recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after liver transplantation. PATIENTS/METHODS: HCV-infected cirrhotic patients randomised to tacrolimus monotherapy (MT) or triple therapy (TT) using tacrolimus 0.1 mg/kg/day, azathioprine 1 mg/kg/day, and prednisolone 20 mg/day, tapering over 3 months. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (MT) and 29 (TT)--median follow up 661 days (range, 1-1603). Rejection episodes (protocol/further biopsies) within first 3 months and use of empirical treatment were evaluated. New rejection was diagnosed if repeat biopsy (5-day interval) did not show improvement. Treated rejection episodes: 20 MT (15 biopsy-proven) vs. 24 TT (21 biopsy-proven), with 19 (MT) vs. 24 (TT) methylprednisolone boluses. Overall: 35 episodes (MT) and 46 (TT). Fewer MT patients had histological rejection (70%) than TT patients (86%), with fewer episodes of rejection (18.5% vs. 10%), and more moderate rejection (22% vs. 41%). The MT group had higher early tacrolimus levels. Rates of renal dysfunction, retransplantation, and death were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Tacrolimus monotherapy is a viable immunosuppressive strategy in HCV-infected liver transplant recipients.
Assuntos
Rejeição de Enxerto/prevenção & controle , Hepatite C/terapia , Imunossupressores/uso terapêutico , Cirrose Hepática/terapia , Transplante de Fígado , Tacrolimo/uso terapêutico , Adulto , Idoso , Azatioprina/uso terapêutico , Quimioterapia Combinada , Feminino , Hepatite C/complicações , Humanos , Cirrose Hepática/virologia , Transplante de Fígado/imunologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/epidemiologia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/prevenção & controle , Prednisolona/uso terapêutico , Prevenção Secundária , Análise de Sobrevida , Fatores de Tempo , Transplante Homólogo , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Treatment of portal hypertension is evolving based on randomised controlled trials. In acute variceal bleeding, prophylactic antibiotics are mandatory, reducing mortality as well as preventing infections. Terlipressin or somatostatin combined with endoscopic ligation or sclerotherapy is the best strategy for control of bleeding but there is no added effect of vasoactive drugs on mortality. Non-selective beta-blockers are the first choice therapy for both secondary and primary prevention; if contraindications or intolerance to beta-blockers are present then band ligation should be used. Novel therapies target the increased intrahepatic resistance caused by microcirculatory intrahepatic deficiency of nitric oxide and contraction of activated intrahepatic stellate cells.