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PubMed1995

The quality of function of renal allografts is associated with donor age.

The quality of renal allograft function was assessed by prospective measurement of creatinine clearance at 1 year (n = 197) and at 3 years (n = 115) after cadaveric renal transplantation in a cohort of 268 patients treated with triple therapy immunosuppression. Donor age (P < 0.0012) and recipient age (P < 0.01) were independently associated with creatinine clearance both at 1 and at 3 years. In patients with donor age above 50 years and recipient age above 45 years, the mean creatinine clearance was 32.7 (SD 10.4) ml/min (n = 27). When the donor age was below 30 years and recipient age below 45 years, the mean creatinine clearance was 55.6 (SD 14.4) ml/min (n = 47, P < 0.001). However, in these patients there was no significant association between graft function and many of the factors known to influence graft survival, such as HLA matching, sensitisation of the recipient, and the occurrence of rejection. In conclusion, the quality of renal allograft function declined with increasing donor and recipient age in our patients, whilst immunological factors were not significantly associated with function in surviving grafts.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Pregnancy in renal transplant recipients: long-term effect on patient and graft survival. A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on the effect of pregnancy on long-term renal allograft function. The aim of the study was to compare long-term graft and patient outcome between pregnant and nonpregnant women after renal transplantation. METHODS: The study group consisted of 39 women attending the Perinatal Division of the Rabin Medical Center who conceived after undergoing renal transplantation (total number of live births: 55). All had a functioning allograft at the time of conception. Each patient was matched with 3 controls for 12 factors known to affect graft survival. The controls were derived from a cohort of 250,000 transplant patients registered in the Collaborative Transplantation Study (CTS) database. The groups were compared for graft survival, long-term patient survival, and kidney function (CTS clinical grading scale). RESULTS: Graft (61.6%) and patient (84.8 %) survival from transplantation to the end of follow-up (15 years) in the women who conceived after transplantation did not differ from the rates observed in the 177 women in the matched control group (68.7% and 78.8 %, respectively). There were no between-group differences in long-term graft function. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy does not appear to have adverse effects on long-term graft or patient survival or kidney function in women after renal transplantation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Long-term (> or =20 yr) status of 14 cadaveric kidney-transplant recipients.

The aim of this study was to analyze the status of patients with a successful long-term (> or =20 yr) kidney graft. Nineteen (8.1%) of the 234 recipients who received a cadaveric kidney transplant between 1968 and 1978 in our center are still alive 21.7+/-1.6 yr (mean+/-standard error of the mean) later with a functioning allograft. Function, including measurement of the renal functional reserve (RFR), histological status, and morbidity were evaluated. Fourteen patients agreed to participate in this study. Their current immunosuppressive regimens combined prednisone (P)+azathioprine (AZA) (n=9), P+AZA+cyclosporine (CsA) (n=3) or P+CsA (n=2). Although they described their quality of life as good, 10 patients had mild hypertension, 5 developed 10 malignancies (9 cutaneous), 5 had replicative hepatitis, 8 had osteopenia, and 6 had cataracts, but none had diabetes mellitus. Proteinuria was detected in 6 patients, but was always less than 1 g/d. Mean serum creatinine was 1.28+/-0.28 mg/dL and glomerular filtration rate was 54.5+/-5.3 mL/min/1.73 m2. RFR was present for 4 patients with a mean value of +14.8+/-1.9 mL/min. Their functional status was not correlated with the histological lesions observed in concomitant transplant biopsies. Kidney grafts are able to function well even more than 20 yr post-transplantation, with some having a RFR whose significance remains unknown. Morbidity is of minor clinical severity, but could be further reduced with optimized management. Moreover, transplantation is much less costly than hemodialysis.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Growth hormone treatment of growth failure among children with renal transplants.

Eight children with growth failure following renal transplant have been selected for recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment at Children's Hospital using the following criteria: (1) a functioning allograft for at least one year; (2) height < third percentile; (3) growth velocity < 4 cm/year; (4) growth potential; and (5) low-dose alternate-day glucocorticoid dosing. The children were 7.4 to 17.7 years of age; had received transplants 2.6 to 12.3 years before rhGH treatment; and all had decreased allograft function. The growth velocity of these children increased from 1.7 +/- 0.7 to 7.1 +/- 2.1 cm/year during the first year of rhGH treatment (0.05 mg/kg s.c. daily). The mean height SD score improved -3.9 +/- 1.5 to -3.4 +/- 1.3 in the seven children who completed one year of treatment (P < 0.001). There was no change in glucose tolerance during rhGH treatment. The serum creatinine concentration increased in all patients with a concomitant decrease in creatinine clearance. The mean rate of change in the inverse creatinine (1/Cr) increased from -0.005 +/- 0.004 dl/mg/month in the two years prior to rhGH treatment to -0.023 +/- 0.015 dl/mg/month during rhGH treatment (P < 0.01). The relative risks and benefits of rhGH treatment must be carefully considered for each patient.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Aortic reconstruction in patients with functioning renal allografts.

Patients with functioning renal allografts requiring aortic reconstruction pose a considerable challenge to the vascular surgeon. A variety of strategies for renal allograft preservation during intervention have been described including hypothermia, indwelling shunts, cold renal perfusion, axillofemoral bypass, and endovascular stent-grafting. Reported here are two cases of successful aortic reconstruction utilizing standard open surgical techniques designed simply to minimize warm renal ischemia. The first case was that of a 55 year-old patient with a functional renal allograft originating from the right external iliac artery, who presented acutely with large symptomatic aortic and bilateral iliac artery aneurysms. He was treated with aorto-right femoral/left iliac bypass grafting. The right femoral anastomosis was performed first so that warm renal ischemia was limited to the 34 min required to perform the proximal end-to-end aortic anastomosis. The second case was that of a 44-year-old patient also with a transplanted kidney originating from the right external iliac artery. He presented with worsening hypertension, decreasing renal function, claudication, and severe aortoiliac occlusive disease. He was treated with aorto-left femoral bypass grafting via a retroperitoneal approach, followed by femorofemoral crossover bypass for retrograde perfusion of the kidney (total warm ischemia time 20 min). Both patients recovered uneventfully without a decrement in renal function and remain well on follow-up. It is concluded that standard open surgery without adjunctive shunts or bypasses remains a viable treatment option for these patients, provided warm renal ischemia can be minimized.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

The effect of pregnancy on kidney function in renal allograft recipients.

In women with renal transplants glomerular filtration rate (GFR) increases during pregnancy but how soon the increment occurs, its relation to pre-pregnancy GFR, and the overall pattern of change are unknown. Twenty-four hour creatinine clearance (24-hr CCr) were measured prospectively in ten pregnancies in eight allograft recipients before conception, throughout pregnancy, 8 to 12 weeks postpartum, and 4 to 6 monthly thereafter. Inulin (CIn) in creatinine (CCr) clearances during infusion were also determined and protein excretion was evaluated. The results were compared to those in similar studies in ten healthy women. By the tenth gestational week 24-hr CCr was 124 +/- (SD) 15.9 ml/min in healthy women (an increase of 38%; range, 18 to 69%) and in transplant patients was 105 +/- 28.1 ml/min (an increase of 34%: range, 10 to 60%), with the greatest increments in those whose allografts functioned best before conception, regardless of donor source and sex or the transplant-pregnancy interval. In late pregnancy mean 24-hr CCr decreased by 19% (range, 6 to 28%) in healthy women and by 34% (range, 12 to 57%) in the transplant patients, but in most this did not represent graft deterioration nor lead to permanent impairment. At all time points CIn values were 5 to 10% greater than those for 24-hr CCr but slightly less than infusion CCr values. Protein excretion increased throughout pregnancy and by the third trimester in healthy women averaged 200 mg in 24 hr and regularly exceeded 500 mg in 24 hr in transplant patients, which was three times non-pregnant levels and probably not clinically significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Calcium-channel blockers and other factors influencing delayed function in renal allografts.

A retrospective analysis was undertaken to examine the influence of calcium-channel blocking drugs on early renal allograft function. Delayed function was defined as the need for dialysis or a reduction in serum creatinine of less than 15% within 4 days of transplantation. The drug histories of 172 patients were examined. After exclusions, the data from 138 patients were analysed. No patient was taking any calcium-channel blocking drug other than nifedipine. Thirty-one patients were taking nifedipine at the time of transplantation and these had a delayed function rate of 16% compared with 40% for 107 patients not taking nifedipine (chi 2, P less than 0.05). Delayed function occurred in 61% of cases when the donor age was over 50 years compared with 29% with younger donors (chi 2, P less than 0.05). A total ischaemic time of longer than 24 h and administration of inotropic support to the donor were associated with delayed function (chi 2, P less than 0.05). Administration to the donor of mannitol, steroids, phenoxybenzamine and heparin had no effect on the rate of delayed function. Recipients treated with low-dose dopamine in the perioperative period had no advantage. Elevated trough whole blood concentrations of cyclosporin in the first week after transplant were associated with delayed function (Mann-Whitney U, P less than 0.05).

Adult↗

PubMed1989

The effect of nifedipine on graft function in renal allograft recipients treated with cyclosporin A.

The effect of the calcium channel antagonist nifedipine on renal allograft function was assessed in two groups of renal transplant recipients at least one year after transplantation. Group 1 comprised 10 patients receiving low-dose prednisolone and cyclosporin A, and Group 2 comprised 9 patients receiving low-dose prednisolone and azathioprine. Before commencing nifedipine, creatinine and sodium clearance rates and the fractional excretion of sodium were similar in both two groups. Lithium clearance rates and the fractional excretion of lithium were, however, significantly lower (p less than 0.01) in Group 1 than in Group 2. The absolute reabsorption of sodium from the distal nephron (p less than 0.01), the absolute reabsorption of water from the distal nephron segment (p less than 0.01) and the fractional reabsorption of sodium from the distal tubule relative to the delivery of sodium from the proximal tubule (p less than 0.05) were also lower in Group 1. After seven days of nifedipine treatment (10 mg/8 h) there was a significant fall in sodium clearance (p less than 0.01) and fractional sodium excretion (p less than 0.05), and an increase in the fractional distal reabsorption of sodium relative to the delivery of sodium from the proximal tubule (p less than 0.01), and the fractional distal reabsorption of water relative to the delivery of water from the proximal tubule (p less than 0.02), in Group 1 but not Group 2. The only alterations observed in Group 2 were an increase in fractional lithium excretion (p less than 0.05), and a significant fall in the absolute proximal tubular reabsorption of iso-osmotic fluids (p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Functional capacity and rehabilitation of recipients with a functioning renal allograft for ten years or more.

Forty-nine renal transplant recipients who had a single functioning allograft for ten or more years are reviewed. There were 17 cadaver recipients and 32 living-related recipients. Most patients have enjoyed excellent long-term renal function with stable mean daily dosages of azathioprine and prednisone. Fifty-three percent of patients never experienced a rejection episode, and 24% of patients experienced only one rejection episode. Five recipients (10%) developed malignancy following transplantation. Based on the Karnofsky activity scale, 80% of patients enjoyed unrestricted activity at ten years posttransplant. The two major factors contributing to declining activity were progression of systemic diseases such as atherosclerosis or diabetes, and declining allograft function. Following transplantation, all patients developed renewed interest in sexual activity, all men were potent, and all women experienced regular menses. Nine men achieved fatherhood and five women underwent successful pregnancy. Currently, 46 recipients are alive with a functioning allograft. These data confirm the ability of recipients with a long-term functioning renal allograft to return to the work force, participate in preillness levels of activity, and enjoy sexual activity and parenthood.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1989

Chronic thromboxane inhibition preserves function of rejecting rat renal allografts.

Increased production of thromboxane (TX) by rejecting renal allografts results in significant and partially reversible renal vasoconstriction. In this study, we evaluated the potential benefit of chronically administering the TX synthetase inhibitor OKY-046 from the time of transplantation in a rat model of acute renal allograft rejection. In animals which received 75 mg/kg/day of OKY-046 by intermittent i.p. injection, allograft function was not improved, but renal thromboxane production was not significantly inhibited. However, animals which received an equivalent dose of OKY-046 by continuous intra-arterial infusion for four days maintained clearances of inulin (4.46 +/- 0.79 ml/min/kg) and PAH (23.86 +/- 1.81 ml/min/kg) at normal levels not different from non-rejecting isografts (4.83 +/- 0.93 and 18.33 +/- 2.55 ml/min/kg, respectively). In contrast, animals which received continuous infusion of saline vehicle alone developed a significant reduction in renal function (CIn: 1.58 +/- 0.27 ml/min/kg; CPAH: 9.12 +/- 1.51 ml/min/kg) by the fourth day after transplantation. Intra-arterial infusion of OKY-046 significantly reduced four-day allograft TXB2 production, as well as urinary TXB2 excretion, but had no effect on allograft production of PGE2 or 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. Despite the beneficial effects on allograft function, OKY-046 neither altered the morphologic appearance of the cellular infiltrate nor the systemic proliferative and cytotoxic anti-donor cellular immune responses. Six days following transplantation, renal TXB2 production was only partially inhibited in animals given continuous infusions of OKY-046, and remained markedly elevated. This partial inhibition of TX production resulted in a slight but insignificant functional improvement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acrylates↗

PubMed1995

Structure-function correlations in cryopreserved allograft cardiac valves.

This communication briefly summarizes a morphologic investigation of explanted cryopreserved heart valves and discusses the findings in the context of ongoing debates regarding modes of failure, cellular viability, durability of the extracellular matrix, and the contribution of immune responses. We studied 20 cryopreserved human heart valve allografts functioning up to 9 years as either orthotopic aortic valves/root replacements or right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduits explanted for valve failure, infection, or growth-related conduit or valve stenosis. Implanted valves had progressively severe loss of normal layered structure and were devoid of stainable deep connective tissue cells. Inflammation was minimal. Other late findings included minimal inflammation, mild cuspal hematomas, mural thrombus, and calcification, most prominent in the aortic wall. Transmission electron microscopy of late explants revealed nonviable cells and their debris, and a collagenous skeleton that was largely intact. We conclude that cryopreserved allograft heart valves have minimal, if any, viable cells, but largely retain the original collagen network; preservation of the autolysis-resistant collagenous skeleton likely provides the structural basis of function. Our results also suggest that immune responsiveness has little, if any, impact on late allograft function or degradation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

Liver disease in recipients of long-functioning renal allografts.

After noting that hepatic failure was the leading cause of death in our transplant recipients whose renal allografts had functioned for more than five years, we reviewed retrospectively the post-transplant course of these patients to assess the long-term effect of liver disease in this population. Sufficient data was available to evaluate 184 of 217 long-term survivors (85%). Twenty-six patients (14%) experienced a doubling of SGOT and/or SGPT of greater than six months' duration and were defined as having chronic liver disease. The etiology of chronic liver disease was identified in 14 patients (54%), of whom 11 were HBsAg positive. Evidence of chronic hepatitis developed in only six of 26 patients (22%) during the first four years post transplant. Once enzyme abnormalities occurred, they were unremitting until death or end of the study in 73% of patients. Actuarial survival of patients with chronic liver disease was markedly decreased compared to long-surviving transplanted controls. Ten of the 12 deaths in patients with hepatocellular abnormalities were due to hepatic failure, of which eight occurred in the setting of extrahepatic sepsis. Chronic liver disease is a late complication of transplantation and is associated with significant mortality due to an increased susceptibility to overwhelming sepsis.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Hypercoagulable states in renal transplant candidates: impact of anticoagulation upon incidence of renal allograft thrombosis.

INTRODUCTION: Although multiple studies of demographic variables have been associated with allograft thrombosis, these results are not routinely reproducible. Are ESRD patients with hypercoagulable states (HCS) (antithrombin III deficiency, protein S or C deficiency, activated protein C resistance, and anticardiolipin antibodies) at predictably greater risk for allograft thrombosis? METHODS: Between 1996 and 1999, all renal transplant candidates were screened for hypercoagulability risk factors [HRF] (multiple arteriovenous access thromboses, prior deep vein thrombosis, prior allograft thrombosis, collagen vascular disease, multiple miscarriages, diabetes, autoimmune disease, and Fabry's disease). HRF(+) candidates were then tested for HCS status. We administered preemptive posttransplant i.v. Heparin in HCS(+) patients and observed the impact of this intervention upon the incidence of allograft thrombosis. We compared demographic data and incidence of allograft thrombosis in an historic control (346 patients transplanted between June 31, 1992, and March 5, 1996) not tested for HCS and a study cohort (502 patients transplanted between March 6, 1996, and June 31, 1999) prospectively screened for HRF. HRF(+) patients who were HCS(+) in the study cohort received i.v. heparin immediately after transplant and p.o. warfarin as outpatients. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics previously implicated in allograft thrombosis were equivalently distributed in both cohorts with the exceptions that more living-donor transplants (33.1% vs. 15.3%) were performed in study cohort, CIT>24 hr occurred in more control patients (37.3% vs. 22.1%) and more study patients (16.7% vs. 0%) received tacrolimus. Hypercoagulable states were found upon reevaluating five of seven controls (71.4%), who lost prior allografts to thrombosis. Hypercoagulable states were prospectively detected in 10 study patients with hypercoagulability risk factors. Most (9 of 10) study patients receiving anticoagulation have achieved long-term allograft function. Study group allograft thrombosis incidence was reduced (1.59% vs. 4.05%). Hypercoagulable states were demonstrated in most episodes of allograft thrombosis. Control patients who lost prior allografts to thrombosis were anticoagulated after retransplantation and 100% achieved long-term allograft function. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term allograft function has been achieved in 90% of study patients when prophylactically anticoagulating study patients with hypercoagulable states. A 2.6-fold reduction in the expected incidence of allograft thrombosis was observed in anticoagulated patients with hypercoagulable states.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Conversion of ciclosporin A to tacrolimus in kidney transplant recipients with chronic allograft nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Tacrolimus and ciclosporin might have different effects on intra-renal fibrosis and allograft function in chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). It is difficult to predict the response to calcineurin inhibitor minimization in patients with CAN. METHODS: This prospective randomized study compared ciclosporin A (CsA)-to-tacrolimus conversion (group A, target tacrolimus trough level 6-8 ng/ml) vs CsA minimization (group B, target CsA trough level 80-100 ng/ml) with regard to efficacy and safety in patients with CAN and deteriorating allograft function. The primary efficacy endpoint was improvement in the slope of inverse serum creatinine (1/SCr) vs time plot. RESULTS: There were 34 evaluable patients (n=16 in group A; n=18 in group B), with similar baseline characteristics. Both groups reached target drug levels after a 3-month run-in period. Over the ensuing 12 months, nine (56.3%) subjects in group A and 10 (55.6%) in group B reached the primary end point (P=0.968). Both groups showed considerable improvement in the slope of 1/SCr vs time plot. There was no significant difference in the slope between groups before and after intervention. Graft survival was 87% in group A and 100% in group B (P=0.121). Acute rejection was encountered in two group A subjects. There was no significant change or difference in blood glucose, lipids, and blood pressure between groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that in patients with CAN and deteriorating allograft function, CsA-to-tacrolimus conversion or CsA minimization achieved comparable efficacies in retarding the decline of graft function. Such contention may be biased by the low patient number. Further studies with a larger cohort are needed for validation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) therapy is protective for renal function and prevents hyperparathyroidism in renal allograft recipients.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (calcitriol) therapy has been extensively used for posttransplant osteoporosis. Beside its effect on bone metabolism, calcitriol has an important immunomodulatory effect. We evaluated the effects of oral calcitriol therapy on allograft function and parathyroid hormone levels after renal transplantation. The patients were retrospectively selected from a renal transplant patient population who received calcitriol (group 1, n = 59, 36 male/23 female, follow-up: 52.8 +/- 12.2 months) compared with group (group 2, n = 52, 42 male/9 female, follow-up: 62.0 +/- 24.4 months) without calcitriol therapy after renal transplantation. Calcitriol therapy was started 24.0 +/- 19.1 months posttransplantation. All patients were under three-drug immunosuppression. The pretransplant and posttransplant data were studied retrospectively. Additionally, creatinine levels before and after the initiation of calcitriol therapy were recorded at 6 months intervals for 3 successive years. Our results were analyzed according to the first and third year on therapy data. According to the first year data, there were no differences in patient groups in terms of creatinine and iPTH levels. In the third year, the patients in group 1 showed significantly lower creatinine (P = .01) and iPTH (P < .04) levels and needed lower pulse steroid doses (P < .04). According to a Friedman repeated measures variance test, the creatinine level was significantly lower among group I (P < .04) at 3-year follow-up. In conclusion, even a delayed start of calcitriol therapy after renal transplantation exerts a protective effect on renal allograft function and prevents the development of hyperparathyroidism.

Calcitriol↗

PubMed2005

Similar impact of slow and delayed graft function on renal allograft outcome and function.

Kidney transplant patients can be divided into three groups, according to the initial graft function. First-week dialyzed patients form the delayed graft function (DGF) group. Nondialyzed patients are divided into slow graft function (SGF) or immediate graft function (IGF) according to whether the day 5 serum creatinine was higher versus lower than 3 mg/dL, respectively. SGF patients showed worse graft survival, above higher incidence of acute rejection and lower renal function than IGF patients, although few reports have analyzed outcomes in these groups. We analyzed the impact of SGF on graft survival, first-year renal function, and incidence of acute rejection in 291 renal transplant patients. Creatinine was significantly worse at 12 months for SGF and DGF than for IGF patients (1.9 +/- 0.8 mg/dL, 1.8 +/- 0.7 mg/dL, 1.5 +/- 0.5 mg/dL, respectively; P < .05). There was no difference in first-year renal function between SGF and DGF. The acute rejection rate was higher among the SGF than the IGF group (45% vs 21%, P < .05), but not different from DGF patients (42%, P < .05). Graft survival was better among IGF than SGF or DGF patients, with no significant difference between the last two groups (3-year graft survival, 82%, 71%, 70%, respectively; log-rank test, P < .05). Kidney transplant recipients who develop SGF have a worse outcome than patients with IGF, similar to DGF patients. SGF patients show worse graft survival, worse renal function, and higher acute rejection rates than IGF patients, despite not needing dialysis.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Different roles for matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the pathogenesis of cardiac allograft rejection.

Recent studies have shown an increased expression of several matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) during cardiac, renal and pulmonary allograft rejection. To further define the roles of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the pathogenesis of cardiac allograft rejection, BALB/c cardiac allografts were transplanted into MMP-2-deficient (-/-) and MMP-9-/- mice. Allografts rejected by wild-type mice revealed a significant increase in MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. MMP-2-deficiency significantly prolonged allograft survival time. Functioning allografts harvested from MMP-2-/- mice showed lower cellular infiltration and fibrosis than rejected allografts harvested from MMP-2+/+ mice at the same time. In contrast, MMP-9-deficiency significantly decreased allograft survival time. Functioning allografts harvested from MMP-9+/+ mice showed lower cellular infiltration and fibrosis than rejected allografts harvested from MMP-9-/- mice at the same time. MMP-2-/- recipients showed decreased T-cell alloreactivity mediated by a defect in dendritic cell stimulatory and T-cell responsive capacities. In contrast, MMP-9-/- recipients showed increased T-cell alloreactivity mediated by a significant increased in dendritic cell stimulatory and T-cell responsive capacities. These results indicate that MMP2 and MMP-9 play significantly different roles in the process of cardiac allograft rejection.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Long-term function of human cardiac allografts assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography.

Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated increasing left ventricular mass in cyclosporine-treated cardiac allograft recipients over 30 days after transplantation, but the long-term evolution of this process and possible effects on allograft function are unknown. Accordingly, quantitative two-dimensional echocardiography was performed 2 and 23 days and 15 months postoperatively in 14 recipients treated with cyclosporine and prednisone. Changes in left ventricular ejection fraction, end-diastolic volume, mass, and end-systolic wall stress were analyzed. Comparison of studies at 2 and 23 days revealed significant (p less than 0.01) increases in ejection fraction (54% +/- 8% [standard deviation] to 62% +/- 4%), end-diastolic volume (84% +/- 32 ml to 96 +/- 31 ml), and left ventricular mass (118 +/- 45 gm to 136 +/- 41 gm). Comparison of studies at 23 days and 15 months revealed no significant change in end-diastolic volume or left ventricular mass, whereas ejection fraction decreased slightly (62% +/- 4% to 57% +/- 4%, p less than 0.01). End-systolic wall stress decreased when data at 2 days and 15 months were compared (83 +/- 24 gm/cm2 versus 66 +/- 18 gm/cm2, p less than 0.05), but no change in contractility was apparent from the ejection fraction/end-systolic stress relation. We conclude that left ventricular mass and end-diastolic volume increase early after transplantation in cyclosporine-treated cardiac allograft recipients, but these changes are not predictive of long-term results, which are characterized by no significant late variation in left ventricular mass, end-diastolic volume, or contractility.

Adolescent↗