Impact of prophylactic immediate posttransplant ganciclovir on development of transplant atherosclerosis: a post hoc analysis of a randomized, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease occurs in an accelerated fashion in the donor heart after heart transplantation (TxCAD), but the cause is poorly understood. The risk of developing TxCAD is increased by cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and decreased by use of calcium blockers. Our group observed that prophylactic administration of ganciclovir early after heart transplantation inhibited CMV illness, and we now propose to determine whether this therapy also prevents TxCAD. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred forty-nine consecutive patients (131 men and 18 women aged 48+/-13 years) were randomized to receive either ganciclovir or placebo during the initial 28 days after heart transplantation. Immunosuppression consisted of muromonab-CD3 (OKT-3) prophylaxis and maintenance with cyclosporine, prednisone, and azathioprine. Mean follow-up time was 4.7+/-1.3 years. In a post hoc analysis of this trial designed to assess efficacy of ganciclovir for prevention of CMV disease, we compared the actuarial incidence of TxCAD, defined by annual angiography as the presence of any stenosis. Because calcium blockers have been shown to prevent TxCAD, we analyzed the results by stratifying patients according to use of calcium blockers. TxCAD could not be evaluated in 28 patients because of early death or limited follow-up. Among the evaluable patients, actuarial incidence of TxCAD at follow-up (mean, 4.7 years) in ganciclovir-treated patients (n=62) compared with placebo (n=59) was 43+/-8% versus 60+/-10% (P<0.1). By Cox multivariate analysis, independent predictors of TxCAD were donor age >40 years (relative risk, 2.7; CI, 1.3 to 5.5; P<0.01) and no ganciclovir (relative risk, 2.1; CI, 1.1 to 5.3; P=0.04). Stratification on the basis of calcium blocker use revealed differences in TxCAD incidence when ganciclovir and placebo were compared: no calcium blockers (n=53), 32+/-11% (n=28) for ganciclovir versus 62+/-16% (n=25) for placebo (P<0.03); calcium blockers (n=68), 50+/-14% (n=33) for ganciclovir versus 45+/-12% (n=35) for placebo (P=NS). CONCLUSIONS: TxCAD incidence appears to be lower in patients treated with ganciclovir who are not treated with calcium blockers. Given the limitations imposed by post hoc analysis, a randomized clinical trial is required to address this issue.

Left ventricular mass increases during cardiac allograft vascular rejection.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated whether left ventricular mass increases during cellular or vascular (humoral) cardiac allograft rejection. BACKGROUND: An increase in left ventricular mass during cellular cardiac allograft rejection has been described by other investigators, although controversy has existed over the validity of these findings. Left ventricular mass changes have not been evaluated in the setting of vascular (humoral) cardiac allograft rejection. METHODS: To determine the effect of allograft rejection on left ventricular mass, we retrospectively reviewed endomyocardial biopsy results and corresponding echocardiograms in 41 cardiac transplant recipients undergoing treatment for allograft rejection. Left ventricular mass was assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography using the method of Schiller. Maintenance immunosuppression included cyclosporine in all patients. RESULTS: Although significant changes in left ventricular wall thickness, mass and dimensions were not observed in patients experiencing moderate or severe cellular allograft rejection (International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation grades III and IV, n = 27), marked changes were noted in patients with vascular (humoral) rejection (n = 14). Patients with vascular rejection demonstrated an echocardiographic mean (+/- SEM) increase in left ventricular wall mass (from 109 +/- 17 to 151 +/- 17 g), and left ventricular wall thickness (from 1.3 +/- 0.1 to 1.6 +/- 0.1 cm) during the rejection episode. Additionally, vascular rejection was associated with a trend toward an increase in left ventricular systolic dimension (from 2.6 +/- 0.1 to 3.0 +/- 0.2 cm) and a decrease in left ventricular fractional shortening and increased incidence of hemodynamic compromise with rejection (50% for vascular vs. 11% for cellular rejection). CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular mass increases during episodes of vascular (humoral) rejection, but there is no significant change in left ventricular mass during cellular cardiac allograft rejection.

Up-regulation of beta 2-adrenergic receptors in previously transplanted, denervated nonfailing human hearts.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine beta-adrenergic receptor signal transduction in denervated, previously transplanted human ventricular myocardium. BACKGROUND: In model systems, surgical denervation typically results in both presynaptic and postsynaptic supersensitivity in beta-adrenergic receptor pathways and alteration in G protein-mediated signal transduction. METHODS: We examined beta-adrenergic receptor signal transduction in the left and right ventricles removed from nine subjects with a previous transplant and surgical denervation 25 +/- 4 months after their first transplantation. Twenty-six hearts removed from organ donors served as control hearts. RESULTS: Total beta-adrenergic receptor density and stimulation of muscle contraction in isolated right ventricular trabeculae by the nonselective agonist isoproterenol were similar in the transplant and donor groups. Beta 1-receptor density was not different in the left ventricles of the two groups but tended to be reduced (by 29%, p = 0.09) in transplant right ventricles. By contrast, beta 2-receptor density was higher in transplant left and right ventricles relative to the respective values in donor ventricles by 33% in left ventricles and 97% in right ventricles (both p < 0.05). Isoproterenol, which in particulate fractions of human heart stimulates adenylyl cyclase primarily via beta 2-receptors, produced a greater increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate generation in membranes prepared from transplant left ventricles and right ventricles compared with donors. In contrast, guanosine 5'-[beta,gamma-imido]triphosphate, sodium fluoride and forskolin, which stimulate adenylyl cyclase through nonreceptor/G protein-sensitive mechanisms, yielded similar degrees of adenylyl cyclase stimulation in the two groups, and both pertussis toxin- and cholera toxin-catalyzed adenosine diphosphate ribosylation were not altered in transplanted left ventricles. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the transplanted human heart exhibits an up-regulation of functional beta 2-adrenergic receptors.

Long-term (2 year) beneficial effects of beta-adrenergic blockade with bucindolol in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Beta-adrenergic blockade represents a promising therapeutic approach to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Bucindolol, a new beta-blocker, showed favorable effects in a short-term (3 month) trial in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. To assess long-term response, 20 study patients (7 of 9 patients previously assigned to the placebo group and 13 of 14 patients previously assigned to bucindolol therapy) received long-term bucindolol therapy and were followed up for a mean of 23 +/- 4 months (range 17 to 30). The mean patient age was 49 years (range 29 to 66) and the median duration of disease was 11 months (range 1 to 190). Ten patients were in functional class II and 10 were in class III; 15 patients were men. At the end of the common follow-up time, all 20 patients were alive, 17 continued to receive bucindolol (mean dose 176 mg/day, range 25 to 200), and 2 underwent cardiac transplantation. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased from a baseline value of 25 +/- 8% to 35 +/- 13% (n = 19 pairs, p less than 0.001). Functional class improved in 12, was unchanged in 5 and deteriorated in 3 (p = 0.056). Exercise time was maintained (9.4 +/- 3.1 versus 9.1 +/- 3.5 min, n = 19, p = NS), as was maximal oxygen uptake (19.2 +/- 4.9 versus 18.8 +/- 5.7 ml/kg per min, n = 19, p = NS). Thus, long-term bucindolol therapy leads to substantial increases in ejection fraction and to improved functional class while stable exercise performance is maintained.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Carvedilol improves left ventricular function and symptoms in chronic heart failure: a double-blind randomized study.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the safety and efficacy of carvedilol in patients with heart failure caused by idiopathic or ischemic cardiomyopathy. BACKGROUND: Carvedilol is a mildly beta 1-selective beta-adrenergic blocking agent with vasodilator properties. Beta-blockade may be beneficial in patients with heart failure, but the effects of carvedilol are not known. METHODS: Sixty patients with heart failure (New York Heart Association functional classes II to IV) and left ventricular ejection fraction < or = 0.35 were enrolled in the study. All patients tolerated challenge with carvedilol, 3.125 mg twice a day, and were randomized to receive carvedilol (n = 36) versus placebo (n = 24). Study medication was titrated over 1 month from 6.25 to 25 mg twice a day (< 75 kg) or 50 mg twice a day (> 75 kg) and continued for 3 months. One placebo-treated and two carvedilol-treated patients did not complete the study. RESULTS: Carvedilol therapy resulted in a significant reduction in heart rate and mean pulmonary artery and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures and a significant increase in stroke volume and left ventricular stroke work. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased 52% in the carvedilol group (from 0.21 to 0.32, p < 0.0001 vs. placebo group). Carvedilol-treated patients also reported a significant lessening of heart failure symptoms (p < 0.05 vs. placebo group). Submaximal exercise duration tended to increase with carvedilol therapy (from 688 +/- 31 s to 871 +/- 32 s), but this change was not significantly different from that with placebo therapy by between-group analysis. Peak oxygen consumption during maximal exercise did not change. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term carvedilol therapy improves rest cardiac function and lessens symptoms in patients with heart failure.

Relationship between corticosteroid exposure and plasma lipid levels in heart transplant recipients.

PURPOSE: Accelerated coronary atherosclerosis is a major cause of heart graft failure two years and more after heart transplantation, yet its etiology remains undetermined. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence of coronary risk-associated lipid abnormalities, and the relationship between lipid levels and exposure to corticosteroids and cyclosporine, in heart transplant recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of 92 consecutive heart transplant recipients from three different transplantation centers were reviewed. Patients from the three centers varied in age, in corticosteroid regimens, and in the proportion undergoing transplantation for ischemic cardiomyopathy. Although 11 patients were not receiving corticosteroids at the time of the study, all patients had received them immediately after transplantation. In addition to information pertaining to demographics, pretransplant medical history, rejection episodes, drug doses, renal function, and blood glucose levels, data on dietary intake and body weight were collected and plasma lipid levels were measured at the time of record review. RESULTS: A significant number, 48 (52 percent), of heart transplant recipients were above the sex- and age-adjusted 75th percentile, and 35 (38 percent) were above the 90th percentile for total cholesterol in comparison with a general reference population. Similar elevations were found in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Bivariate analysis demonstrated cumulative prednisone exposure (r = 0.40, p = 0.0001) and cumulative cyclosporine exposure (r = 0.22, p = 0.04) but not diet or etiology of pretransplant heart disease to be significantly associated with age- or sex-adjusted total cholesterol percentiles. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol percentiles were also correlated with cumulative prednisone (r = 0.37, p = 0.001) and cumulative cyclosporine exposure (r = 0.24, p = 0.02). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, however, demonstrated cumulative prednisone exposure to be the strongest predictor of both total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and percentiles (p = 0.0001), independent of cumulative cyclosporine exposure and other clinical variables. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that long-term corticosteroid exposure may result in an increased prevalence of unfavorable lipid profiles in heart transplant recipients.

Treatment of refractory cardiac allograft rejection with OKT3 monoclonal antibody.

OKT3 monoclonal antibody is a murine monoclonal antibody specific for the T lymphocyte T3 cell surface receptor that mediates antigen recognition. The use of OKT3 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of cardiac allograft rejection refractory to conventional therapy with high-dose steroids and antithymocyte globulin is described. Seven patients received 5 mg of OKT3 monoclonal antibody intravenously per day for 10 to 14 days. Diagnosis of moderate or severe rejection was made in all seven from right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy. Biopsy was repeated 48 to 72 hours and seven to 10 days after OKT3 monoclonal antibody was begun. With treatment, four patients had a complete response, with improvement on both early and late biopsy. Two patients had partial responses, with improvement on early biopsy followed by worsening rejection on late biopsy. One patient died of graft failure six hours after receiving OKT3 monoclonal antibody. Adverse events were common in the first two days of therapy but were well tolerated. It is concluded that OKT3 monoclonal antibody is useful in the treatment of refractory cardiac allograft rejection.

Long-term beta-blocker vasodilator therapy improves cardiac function in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: a double-blind, randomized study of bucindolol versus placebo.

PURPOSE: Bucindolol is a potent nonselective beta-blocking agent with vasodilatory properties. In this study, we evaluated the effects of long-term bucindolol therapy in the treatment of heart failure from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were eligible for enrollment if they had symptomatic heart failure, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, and left ventricular ejection fraction less than 0.40. All patients received an initial test dose of 12.5 mg bucindolol orally every 12 hours for two or three doses. Patients tolerating the test dose were randomly assigned (double-blind) to receive bucindolol or placebo in a 3:2 ratio. Study medication was begun at a dose of 12.5 mg orally every 12 hours and gradually increased over a 1-month period until either a maximum tolerated dose or a target dose of 100 mg every 12 hours was reached. Study medication was then continued for an additional 2 months. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients were enrolled into the study. Twenty-three patients tolerated bucindolol test challenge; 14 were randomized to receive bucindolol, and nine were randomly assigned to receive placebo. The placebo group (age 56 +/- 2 years) was significantly older than the bucindolol group (46 +/- 3 years), but by all other clinical and hemodynamic parameters the two groups were comparable. Twenty-two of 23 patients completed the study. Patients treated with bucindolol had significant improvements in clinical heart failure symptoms and in resting hemodynamic function, including an increase of left ventricular ejection fraction (0.26 +/- 0.02 to 0.35 +/- 0.09, p = 0.003), cardiac index (2.2 +/- 0.1 to 2.5 +/- 0.4 L/minute/m2, p = 0.014), and left ventricular stroke work index (25 +/- 3 to 35 +/- 7 g.m/m2, p = 0.002) and a decrease in pulmonary artery wedge pressure (17 +/- 3 to 10 +/- 5 mm Hg, p = 0.005) and heart rate (86 +/- 3 to 75 +/- 9 beats/minute, p = 0.012). Patients treated with bucindolol also had a significant increase in exercise left ventricular ejection fraction (0.26 +/- 0.03 to 0.32 +/- 0.14, p = 0.015) and reduction in questionnaire-measured symptoms (p = 0.007) and New York Heart Association functional class (p less than 0.001). However, total treadmill exercise duration and maximal oxygen consumption with exercise did not change. No changes in rest or exercise parameters were observed in the placebo-treated group. Central venous plasma norepinephrine concentration decreased significantly in the bucindolol-treated group (423 +/- 79 to 212 +/- 101 pg/mL, p = 0.010), but was unchanged in the placebo-treated group. CONCLUSION: Bucindolol is well tolerated in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure, and therapy for 3 months is associated with improved resting cardiac function, improved heart failure symptoms, and a reduction in venous norepinephrine concentration.

Age-associated decline in cardiac allograft rejection.

The influence of age on cardiac allograft rejection was studied in 57 consecutive recipients. Twenty-one subjects were 54 years of age or older (mean, 57.7 +/- 0.6 years [+/- SEM]; range, 54 to 63 years) and 36 subjects were 52 years of age or younger (mean, 39.9 +/- 1.8 years; range, 16 to 52 years; p less than 0.001). The older recipients had fewer rejection episodes during the first four months following cardiac transplantation (0.24 +/- 0.05 episodes per month versus 0.72 +/- 0.09 episodes per month; p less than 0.001) and during the total duration of follow-up (0.20 +/- 0.03 episodes per month versus 0.40 +/- 0.07 episodes per month; p = 0.045), and experienced their first rejection episode later (50.4 +/- 4.0 days versus 27.7 +/- 8.5 days; p = 0.008). Younger age was found to add significantly as a predictor of rejection in a multivariate analysis that controlled for sex, immunosuppressive agents, cause of heart failure, and pretransplantation lymphocyte cross-match status (r = 0.64, p less than 0.05). Decreased rejection frequency occurred without a concomitant increase in the serious infection rate (67 percent in both groups). The 12-month actuarial survival was 100 percent in the older group and 94 percent in the younger group (p = NS). Decreased rejection in the older recipients is likely a manifestation of an age-associated decline in immune function and might represent an advantage in transplantation for carefully selected older patients.

Evidence that human cardiac allograft acceptance is associated with a decrease in donor-reactive helper T lymphocytes.

We have reported that acute cardiac allograft rejection is associated with increased numbers of donor-reactive helper T lymphocytes (HTL) in the peripheral blood of patients. Further, increased frequencies of circulating donor-reactive HTL may predict allograft rejection episodes diagnosed by endomyocardial biopsy. The present study evaluates the relationship between donor-reactive HTL and allograft "acceptance" in cardiac transplant recipients bearing long-term allografts (> 1 year). Patients were categorized as either long-term acceptors or persistent rejecters based on the number of rejection episodes and the ability to withdraw steroid therapy. Limiting dilution analysis for IL-2-producing HTL was utilized, with cadaver donor splenocytes as a source of donor alloantigens. Donor-reactive HTL frequencies were determined from peripheral blood samples obtained before transplant, and at 1 month and 1 year after transplant. Individuals who accommodated their allografts and were withdrawn from steroid therapy had reduced numbers of donor-reactive HTL at 1 year after transplant as compared with earlier time points. Further, PBMC obtained from these individuals at 1 year after transplant responded weakly to donor alloantigens in a mixed lymphocyte response (MLR). This relationship between donor-reactive HTL and allograft accommodation was exemplified in a cardiac/liver transplant patient who was diagnosed with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and removed from all immunosuppression. No subsequent rejection episodes were diagnosed. Donor-reactive HTL were not detectable and this individual failed to mount an MLR to donor alloantigens. However, a vigorous donor-reactive response was observed when MLR cultures were supplemented with exogenous IL-2. Therefore, nonresponsiveness to the allograft appeared to be due to a deficit in IL-2 production. In contrast, patients who experienced persistent rejection episodes and required continued steroid therapy maintained large numbers of donor-reactive HTL at 1 year after transplant. PBMC from these individuals responded vigorously to donor alloantigens in an MLR. Hence, monitoring donor-reactive HTL may identify individuals who have accommodated their graft and may tolerate a reduction in immunosuppression.

Methotrexate as an adjunct in the treatment of persistent mild cardiac allograft rejection.

Because methotrexate arrests inflammation in autoimmune disease, we studied its efficacy in persistent low-grade cardiac allograft rejection. Seventeen patients aged 39.5 +/- 0.9 years (mean +/- SE) had persistent rejection despite previous therapy with high dose corticosteroids. Maintenance immunosuppression consisted of prednisone, azathioprine, and cyclosporine. The rejection episode treated with methotrexate occurred 180 +/- 55.4 days posttransplantation. Patients had incurred 2.7 +/- 0.3 previous episodes of rejection with the first episode occurring 30.6 +/- 6.2 days post transplant. Methotrexate was administered orally in 3 doses to an average weekly dose of 12.8 +/- 0.8 mg. The duration of methotrexate therapy was 9.0 +/- 1.1 weeks. Sixteen of the seventeen persistent rejection episodes resolved by 22.8 +/- 3.2 days of methotrexate therapy. Using methotrexate, the prednisone dose was decreased from 22.4 +/- 4.8 mg/day at initiation of methotrexate to 9.7 +/- 1.4 mg/day at the completion of methotrexate therapy (P less than 0.01). Over a 306 +/- 35-day follow-up, 9 of 17 patients (53%) have remained rejection-free. Leukopenia, necessitating reduction in azathioprine occurred in 10 patients. One patient developed herpes zoster during therapy. These data indicate that methotrexate is effective in resolving persistent cardiac allograft rejection with minimal morbidity. In addition, the use of methotrexate for treatment of rejection allows reduction in maintenance corticosteroid doses.

Detection of allograft endothelial cells of recipient origin following ABO-compatible, nonidentical cardiac transplantation.

Endothelial cells serve an important role in augmenting immune responses through enhanced expression of MHC class II antigens. Immune-mediated vascular injury associated with rejection requires reendothelialization to restore vascular integrity. The origin of the reparative endothelial cells can be determined when ABO antigens expressed on these cells differ in the donor and recipient. To assess the frequency and significance of reendothelialization by recipient endothelial cells, we stained serial endomyocardial biopsies for ABO antigens in 34 (13%) compatible, nonidentical cardiac allograft recipients of 268 cardiac transplant procedures. In ten (30%) the allograft endothelial cells expressed the characteristics of the recipient (five partial and five complete) within 7.5 +/- 1.0 months (mean +/- SEM) after transplantation. Over 26.3 +/- 2.5 months follow-up no differences could be detected in pretransplant characteristics, allograft survival, survivor rejection morbidity, long-term allograft function, and presence of coronary vasculopathy between those whose endothelial cells expressed recipient blood group antigens and those who did not, which may merely be a reflection of the small sample size. This study indicates that recipient reendothelialization occurs frequently following cardiac transplantation and may result from immune-mediated vascular injury. The effect of recipient reendothelialization on allograft tolerance requires further investigation.

Prevention of adverse clinical outcome by monitoring of cardiac transplant patients for murine monoclonal CD3 antibody (OKT3) sensitization.

We have previously reported that patients sensitized to murine monoclonal CD3 antibody (OKT3) and maintained on such therapy for induction of immunosuppression have a high mortality and/or allograft loss. In this follow-up study, we retrospectively reviewed all patients routinely and serially monitored by flow cytometry for plasma levels of OKT3 during a 21-month period beginning 1/90. A total of 112 patients were monitored during this period. We retrospectively tabulated the incidence of OKT3 sensitization, rejection pattern and impact on survival of withdrawal of OKT3 at the time of sensitization as compared with the previous study in which withdrawal was not done. Nine patients were excluded from analysis because of withdrawal for reasons other than sensitization: cytokine encephalopathy, infection, postoperative complications, or severe rejection. Twelve patients had OKT3 therapy aborted because of failure to achieve steady-state OKT3 levels or because of decline in levels while on therapy. These patients were thus defined as being sensitized to OKT3. No patient was aborted because of return of CD3 cells in the blood. Only one of the 12 patients sensitized to OKT3 died. Of 91 patients with steady-state OKT3 levels, 6 had high plasma levels (> 1000 ng/ml) and 6 had low plasma levels (< 500 ng/ml). None of these patients had OKT3 therapy aborted and all are alive. Twelve of these 91 patients had successful retreatment with OKT3 for refractory rejection, indicating that absence of sensitization on induction predicts safety of retreatment with OKT3. We also examined the frequency of associated human antimouse antibody (HAMA) production using the blocking assay modified from Jaffers and Mayes. Only the sensitized patients exhibited a significant association with HAMA production (6/7 tested, P = 0.05) Classification of the rejection pattern of the sensitized patients confirmed our previous results: eight of 12 had vascular rejection and 4/12 had mixed rejection. These patterns were prospectively determined. We conclude that serial monitoring of patients for plasma levels of OKT3 is an effective strategy to prevent adverse outcomes of induction with this agent.

Outcome of cardiac transplant recipients with a positive donor-specific crossmatch--preliminary results with plasmapheresis.

To assess the influence of a positive T or B cell IgG crossmatch on the development of rejection and mortality following cardiac transplantation, we reviewed all cardiac transplants performed in Utah between March 1985 and October 1990. Of the 328 cardiac allograft recipients, 11 (3.4%) had an IgG positive crossmatch. Actuarial survival at 24 months in the positive crossmatch group was 57.3% +/- 0.02 while that of the controls was 86.1% +/- 2.1 (P < 0.05). Allograft rejection occurred earlier in recipients with a positive crossmatch (10.0 +/- 5.8 days versus 34.0 +/- 2.3 days, P < 0.001). The first allograft rejection episode in patients with a positive crossmatch was characterized by immunoglobulin and complement deposition in small blood vessels and interstitial edema and endothelial cell activation in the absence of a lymphocytic infiltrate. Furthermore, the allograft rejection in the positive crossmatch group was accompanied by hemodynamic compromise in a large proportion of the patients (73%). In addition to augmentation of immunosuppression, plasma exchange therapy was performed within the first week following transplantation in 8 of the 11 positive crossmatch patients. Survival in the patients treated with plasma exchange (75%) appears to be better than in those not receiving plasma exchange (33%) within one week of transplantation. While immunosuppressive therapy aimed at the humoral arm of the immune system and plasma exchange therapy may improve survival in recipients with a positive donor-specific crossmatch, survival is worse in patients with a positive crossmatch than in patients with a negative crossmatch. Thus, it would appear prudent to prospectively crossmatch cardiac transplant candidates with a greater risk of developing a positive crossmatch, such as those potential recipients with an elevated level of panel-reactive antibodies.

The repetitive histologic pattern of vascular cardiac allograft rejection. Increased incidence associated with longer exposure to prophylactic murine monoclonal anti-CD3 antibody (OKT3).

While vascular cardiac allograft rejection increases morbidity and mortality following transplantation, factors predisposing to its development have not been completely elucidated. To evaluate the influence of the duration of early rejection prophylaxis with the murine monoclonal anti-CD3 antibody (OKT3) on the development of a repetitive histologic pattern of vascular cardiac allograft rejection, endomyocardial biopsies from 344 heart transplant recipients were prospectively evaluated. The influence of clinical characteristics was assessed. Eighty-three patients (24%) developed and 261 patients (76%) did not develop a repetitive histologic pattern of vascular cardiac allograft rejection. The vascular rejection pattern was more common in patients with a positive crossmatch (89% versus 11%, P<0.0001) and OKT3 sensitization (73% versus 27%, P<0.0001), and was positively correlated with the duration of OKT3 treatment (P<0.0001). The correlation persists even after excluding patients with a positive crossmatch or OKT3 sensitization. Patients developing a repetitive histologic pattern of vascular cardiac allograft rejection early after transplantation had decreased allograft survival (P=0.0008). The development of a repetitive histologic pattern of vascular cardiac allograft rejection is positively correlated with the duration of OKT3 treatment. Judicious use of OKT3 in early rejection prophylaxis in cardiac transplantation is warranted.

Incidence of adenomatous colorectal polyps in cardiac transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: The present study evaluates the effects of long-term immunosuppression after cardiac transplantation on the risk for adenomatous polyps. METHODS: The endoscopic procedures performed at LDS and University Hospitals in cardiac transplant recipients were reviewed and compared with results from a previously studied control group. RESULTS: A total of 123 endoscopic procedures were performed in 98 heart transplant patients (59% for cancer screening and 41% for gastrointestinal complaints). Eighty-five percent of patients were male and 15% were female; their mean age was 57 years. In the group <3 years posttransplant, adenomatous polyps were present in 25%, hyperplastic polyps were present in 10%, and synchronous lesions in 3 patients. In the group >3 years posttransplant, adenomatous polyps were present in 16%, hyperplastic polyps were present in 22%, and synchronous lesions in were evident in 3 patients. No significant difference with results from a previously studied control group. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term immunosuppression does not increase the risk for adenomatous polyps of the colon.

Cardiac transplantation in survivors of lymphoma: a multi-institutional survey.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac transplantation has been successfully performed in patients with a history of presumably cured Hodgkin's disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Though the risk of recurrence is a major concern, the long-term influence of prior cancer and cancer therapy on posttransplant outcome has not been previously investigated. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to 130 cardiac transplant centers in the United States registered with the United Network for Organ Sharing. Data collected included patient demographics; type, stage, and timing of HD/NHL; treatment for HD/NHL; posttransplant immunosuppressive regimen, rejection history, and outcomes; and Epstein-Barr virus status. RESULTS: Thirty-four cardiac transplant recipients with a previous history of HD (n=16) or NHL (n=18) were identified. HD patients averaged 41+/-15 years of age, with a mean disease-free interval of 15+/-9 years at the time of transplantation. NHL patients averaged 42+/-17 years of age with a mean disease-free interval of 10+/-9 years at the time of transplantation. The mean follow-up for the entire group was 50 months (range, 2 days to 136 months), and mean follow-up for the survivors was 67 months (range, 23-136 months). The 1-, 3-, 5-, 7-, and 10-year actuarial survival estimates for the entire group are 77%, 64%, 64%, 64%, and 50%, respectively. Actuarial survival was lower in HD patients (P=0.04) and in patients who had previously undergone splenectomy (P=0.008). Cox regression analysis identified only prior splenectomy (P=0.02) as an independent risk factor for mortality after cardiac transplantation with an adjusted relative risk of 6.2 (1.7-21.9, 95% confidence intervals). CONCLUSIONS: Although the numbers are small, these data strongly suggest that there is an increased mortality risk for cardiac transplant recipients with prior HD who have undergone splenectomy.

Paternity by cardiac transplant recipients.

To assess whether children fathered by cardiac transplant recipients are at high risk of teratogenicity, cardiac transplant centers listed with the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation were surveyed. Paternities after transplantation by heart (n = 35) and heart-lung (n = 1) allograft recipients have resulted in 42 pregnancies (children's age 3.3 +/- 0.3 years). The fathers' age at conception was < 45 years in 40 (95%) and > 45 years in 2 (5%). Most fathers (86%) were enjoying an active and healthy lifestyle at the time of conception; one (2%) was on dialysis and listed for kidney transplantation due to nephrotic syndrome, 1 (2%) had asthma, 4 (10%) had allograft coronary disease (1 died while waiting for second heart transplant when the child was 2 months old), and 2 (5%) were retransplanted after the pregnancies. Immunosuppressive regimens were reported for 37 paternities; drug protocols at the time of conception were as follows: 25 (60%) CsA/prednisone/AZA, 6 (14%) CsA/prednisone, 4 (10%) CsA/AZA, and 2 (5%) AZA/prednisone. Twenty-six (62%) had received treatment for rejection episodes before conception; seven (17%) had received treatment for rejections since conception. Of the 42 children fathered by these recipients, 3 (7%) were preterm, 1 (2%) had a cleft palate and lip that have subsequently been corrected, 1 (2%) died from interruption of umbilical cord circulation at 24 weeks, and 1 (2%) whose father had familial cardiomyopathy was born with a cardiomyopathy that improved with time. Although the numbers are small, the available data suggest that paternity by cardiac transplant recipients may be safe.

Prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in cardiac transplant recipients by trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) continues to cause significant morbidity in recipients of solid-organ transplants. While some programs administer trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) prophylactically following transplantation, a prospective determination of the safety and efficacy of TMP-SMX in cardiac transplant recipients has not previously been reported. We therefore prospectively randomized 58 cardiac transplant recipients to receive TMP (160 mg)-SMX (800 mg) twice daily either three days per week (group B), or seven days per week (group C), or to receive no treatment (group A). Treatment began 14 days after transplantation and continued for four months. Age, sex, preexisting pulmonary pathology and immunosuppressive protocols did not differ among the groups. Of 17 patients in the control group (A), 7 developed a clinical syndrome compatible with PCP, with the diagnosis histologically confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage during the first four months following transplantation. In contrast, no patients in either the daily or intermittent therapy groups developed PCP during the study period (P < 0.005). Both doses of TMP-SMX were well tolerated, and discontinuation of therapy was not necessary in any patient. Total white blood cell count, azathioprine dose, and number of treated episodes of rejection per patient did not differ among the three groups. We conclude that TMP-SMX can safely and effectively be administered to prevent the occurrence of P carinii pneumonia during the first four months following cardiac transplantation.

Cyclophosphamide as an alternative to azathioprine in cardiac transplant recipients with suspected azathioprine-induced hepatotoxicity.

AZA has been reported to cause liver dysfunction in some recipients of solid organ transplants. To assess the safety and efficacy of cyclophosphamide in maintenance immunosuppression in the setting of AZA-induced liver dysfunction, we retrospectively reviewed the records of 320 surviving cardiac transplant recipients in Utah. Cyclophosphamide was substituted for AZA in 29 patients due to elevated liver enzymes. Patients were switched to cyclophosphamide 689 +/- 104 days after transplantation; total follow-up after initiation of cyclophosphamide was 540 +/- 56 days. The dose of cyclophosphamide after 2 and 6 months of cyclophosphamide therapy was 62 +/- 6 mg/day (0.8 +/- 0.1 mg/kg/day) and 48 +/- 5 mg/day (0.6 +/- 0.1 mg/kg/day), respectively, compared with 233 +/- 20 mg/day (2.9 +/- 0.2 mg/kg/day) of AZA. The substitution of cyclophosphamide for AZA was associated with a significant improvement in liver function tests. Liver enzymes decreased by up to 49% (P = 0.027), while serum bilirubin decreased by 58% (P < 0.001). Rejection frequency did not increase; neither corticosteroid nor CsA dosage was altered significantly after the substitution of cyclophosphamide. Significant bone marrow suppression was not observed; specifically, no significant change in white blood cell count or hematocrit occurred. Complications of treatment with cyclophosphamide were few; only 1 patient discontinued cyclophosphamide because of alopecia. We conclude that cyclophosphamide appears to be safe in maintenance immunosuppression, permitting the discontinuation of AZA in patients with AZA-induced hepatic dysfunction without necessitating the augmentation of either corticosteroids or CsA.