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Peled Y, Klempfner R, Kassif Y, Kogan A, Maor E, Sternik L, Lavee J, Ram E. Preoperative Statin Therapy and Heart Transplantation Outcomes. Ann Thorac Surg 2020; 110:1280-1285. [DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Spitaleri G, Farrero Torres M, Sabatino M, Potena L. The pharmaceutical management of cardiac allograft vasculopathy after heart transplantation. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2020; 21:1367-1376. [PMID: 32401066 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2020.1753698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a major limitation to long-term survival after heart transplantation. Its peculiar pathophysiology involves multifactorial pathways including immune-mediated and metabolic risk factors, which are associated with the development of specific pathological lesions. The often diffuse and chronic nature of the disease reduces the effectiveness of revascularization procedures, and pharmacological prevention of the disease is the sole therapeutic approach with some proven efficacy. AREAS COVERED In this article, after briefly outlining the risk factors for CAV, the authors revise the potential pharmacological approaches that may reduce the burden of CAV. While several therapies have shown convincing efficacy in terms of CAV prevention diagnosed by coronary imaging, very few have been reported to improve prognosis with any meaningful level of evidence. EXPERT OPINION The authors believe that a customizable approach is necessary for clinical practice given the currently available evidence. Furthermore, it is important, in the future, to address the glaring therapeutic gap of an effective treatment against donor-specific antibodies, whose effect on endothelial injury is currently one of the major mechanisms of CAV development and for which no pharmacological treatment is currently available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giosafat Spitaleri
- Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Unit, Cardiovascular Institute, Hospital Clínic , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Farrero Torres
- Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Unit, Cardiovascular Institute, Hospital Clínic , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mario Sabatino
- Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Program, Bologna Academic Hospital , Bologna, Italy
| | - Luciano Potena
- Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Program, Bologna Academic Hospital , Bologna, Italy
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Kobulnik J, Moayedi Y, Greig D. Ethnic disparities in cardiac transplantation: opportunities to improve long-term outcomes in all cardiac transplant recipients. Isr J Health Policy Res 2019; 8:53. [PMID: 31186060 PMCID: PMC6558695 DOI: 10.1186/s13584-019-0320-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethnic disparities in cardiovascular outcomes have been increasingly recognized in the medical literature. In a recent paper in this journal, Peled et al. provide evidence that Arab Israelis may have worse outcome after cardiac transplant than their Jewish counterparts. This commentary explores possible explanations for the differing outcomes and suggests potential solutions that may improve outcomes for cardiac transplant recipients regardless of ethnicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Kobulnik
- University of Toronto, Sinai Health System and Toronto General Hospital, 600 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M5G1X5, Canada.
| | | | - Douglas Greig
- Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
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McCartney SL, Patel C, Del Rio JM. Long-term outcomes and management of the heart transplant recipient. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol 2017; 31:237-248. [PMID: 29110796 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpa.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac transplantation remains the gold standard in the treatment of advanced heart failure. With advances in immunosuppression, long-term outcomes continue to improve despite older and higher risk recipients. The median survival of the adult after heart transplantation is currently 10.7 years. While early graft failure and multiorgan system dysfunction are the most important causes of early mortality, malignancy, rejection, infection, and cardiac allograft vasculopathy contribute to late mortality. Chronic renal dysfunction is common after heart transplantation and occurs in up to 68% of patients by year 10, with 6.2% of patients requiring dialysis and 3.7% undergoing renal transplant. Functional outcomes after heart transplantation remain an area for improvement, with only 26% of patients working at 1-year post-transplantation, and are likely related to the high incidence of depression after cardiac transplantation. Areas of future research include understanding and managing primary graft dysfunction and reducing immunosuppression-related complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon L McCartney
- Divisions of Cardiothoracic and Critical Care Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Chetan Patel
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - J Mauricio Del Rio
- Divisions of Cardiothoracic and Critical Care Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
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Statin therapy in cardiac allograft vasculopathy progression in heart transplant patients: Does potency matter? Transplant Rev (Orlando) 2016; 30:178-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trre.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Hashimoto S, Kato TS, Komamura K, Hanatani A, Niwaya K, Funatsu T, Kobayashi J, Sumita Y, Tanaka N, Hashimura K, Asakura M, Kanzaki H, Kitakaze M. The utility of echocardiographic evaluation of donor hearts upon the organ procurement for heart transplantation. J Cardiol 2011; 57:215-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jjcc.2010.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2010] [Revised: 10/30/2010] [Accepted: 11/09/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Oda N, Kato TS, Komamura K, Hanatani A, Mano A, Hashimura K, Asakura M, Niwaya K, Funatsu T, Kobayashi J, Wada K, Hashimoto S, Ishibashi-Ueda H, Nakano Y, Kihara Y, Kitakaze M. Clinical Course and Outcome of Heart Transplant Recipients Single Center Experience at the National Cardiovascular Center in Japan. Int Heart J 2010; 51:264-71. [DOI: 10.1536/ihj.51.264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Noboru Oda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital
| | - Tomoko S. Kato
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center
- Department of Organ Transplantation, National Cardiovascular Center
| | - Kazuo Komamura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center
- Department of Organ Transplantation, National Cardiovascular Center
| | - Akihisa Hanatani
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center
- Department of Organ Transplantation, National Cardiovascular Center
| | - Akiko Mano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center
- Department of Organ Transplantation, National Cardiovascular Center
| | | | - Masanori Asakura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center
| | - Kazuo Niwaya
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, National Cardiovascular Center
| | - Toshihiro Funatsu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, National Cardiovascular Center
| | - Junjiro Kobayashi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, National Cardiovascular Center
| | - Kyoichi Wada
- Department of Pharmacology, National Cardiovascular Center
| | - Shuji Hashimoto
- Department of Clinical Physiology, National Cardiovascular Center
| | | | - Yukiko Nakano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital
| | - Yasuki Kihara
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital
| | - Masafumi Kitakaze
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center
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Deuse T, Haddad F, Pham M, Hunt S, Valantine H, Bates MJ, Mallidi HR, Oyer PE, Robbins RC, Reitz BA. Twenty-year survivors of heart transplantation at Stanford University. Am J Transplant 2008; 8:1769-74. [PMID: 18557718 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2008.02310.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Human heart transplantation started 40 years ago. Medical records of all cardiac transplants performed at Stanford were reviewed. A total of 1446 heart transplantations have been performed between January 1968 and December 2007 with an increase of 1-year survival from 43.1% to 90.2%. Sixty patients who were transplanted between 1968 and 1987 were identified who survived at least 20 years. Twenty-year survivors had a mean age at transplant of 29.4 +/- 13.6 years. Rejection-free and infection-free 1-year survivals were 14.3% and 18.8%, respectively. At their last follow-up, 86.7% of long-term survivors were treated for hypertension, 28.3% showed chronic renal dysfunction, 6.7% required hemodialysis, 10% were status postkidney transplantation, 13.3% were treated for diabetes mellitus, 36.7% had a history of malignancy and 43.3% had evidence of allograft vasculopathy. The half-life conditional on survival to 20 years was 28.1 years. Eleven patients received a second heart transplant after 11.9 +/- 8.0 years. The most common causes of death were allograft vasculopathy (56.3%) and nonlymphoid malignancy (25.0%). Twenty-year survival was achieved in 12.5% of patients transplanted before 1988. Although still associated with considerable morbidity, long-term survival is expected to occur at much higher rates in the future due to major advances in the field over the past decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Deuse
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Suzuki JI, Koga N, Kosuge H, Ogawa M, Haraguchi G, Maejima Y, Saiki H, Isobe M. Pitavastatin suppresses acute and chronic rejection in murine cardiac allografts. Transplantation 2007; 83:1093-7. [PMID: 17452900 DOI: 10.1097/01.tp.0000259650.67061.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors play several roles in the maintenance of organ transplants. We investigated the role of pitavastatin, a potent and newly developed HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, in cardiac allograft rejection and mechanism of graft arterial disease (GAD) suppression. METHODS Balb/c mice hearts were transplanted into C3H/He mice (a full allomismatch combination) to assess acute rejection or C57BL/6 hearts into B6.C-H2(<bm12>)KhEg (a class II mismatch combination) to examine the extent of GAD. Pitavastatin was administered orally to mice everyday (3 mg/kg/day). To assess the effect in acute rejection, mixed lymphocyte reaction was performed and cytokine mRNA expression was examined with ribonuclease protection assay. RESULTS Pitavastatin significantly prolonged allograft survival. Lymphocyte proliferation was inhibited by pitavastatin, and RPA showed down-regulation of interleukin-6 in pitavastatin-treated cardiac allografts. Allografts in the pitavastatin-treated group after 8 weeks showed less GAD compared with the control group. In vitro, pitavastatin suppressed the smooth muscle cell proliferation in response to activated T cells and inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation. CONCLUSION Pitavastatin could be effective in the suppression of acute rejection and GAD development in cardiac transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-ichi Suzuki
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
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Chin C, Bernstein D. Pharmacotherapy of hyperlipidemia in pediatric heart transplant recipients: current practice and future directions. Paediatr Drugs 2006; 7:391-6. [PMID: 16356026 DOI: 10.2165/00148581-200507060-00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Lipoprotein abnormalities are fairly common after pediatric heart transplantation. Graft coronary artery disease (GCAD) limits long-term survival and has been linked to elevated serum triglyceride levels and decreased high-density lipoprotein levels. Histologically, GCAD represents intimal hyperplasia of the coronary vessel and is best imaged by intravascular ultrasound.A number of pharmacologic agents are available for the management of lipid disorders but experience with these drugs has mainly been in adults. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) are currently used by many adult transplantation centers to alter lipid profiles in the hope of reducing GCAD. The use of statins among pediatric heart transplant centers is more limited. Although rhabdomyolysis is a concern with these agents, the incidence among individuals receiving immunosuppressant therapy is low. Aside from their lipid-lowering properties, statins may also protect against graft failure and rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clifford Chin
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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Hindler K, Eltzschig HK, Fox AA, Body SC, Shernan SK, Collard CD. Influence of statins on perioperative outcomes. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2006; 20:251-8. [PMID: 16616673 DOI: 10.1053/j.jvca.2005.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2005] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katja Hindler
- Division of Cardiovascular Anesthesia, Texas Heart Institute at Saint Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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de Denus S, Al-Jazairi A, Loh E, Jessup M, Stanek EJ, Spinler SA. Dyslipidemias and HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor Prescription in Heart Transplant Recipients. Ann Pharmacother 2004; 38:1136-41. [PMID: 15150383 DOI: 10.1345/aph.1d535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The treatment of dyslipidemias in orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) recipients is not highlighted in the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel guidelines. Emerging data suggest that hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) safely reduce the risk of transplant rejection and coronary artery vasculopathy in OHT patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess the proportion of patients from our institution reaching the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) target of <100 mg/dL, evaluate the impact of statins in reaching this goal, and evaluate the prescribing practice for statins in US OHT centers. METHODS: The management of dyslipidemia of OHT recipients followed at our institution was retrospectively evaluated. In addition, the use of statins in adult OHT centers in the US that performed ≥1 5 OHTs per year was assessed through a survey. RESULTS: Of the 328 patients from our institution, 58.5% achieved an LDL-C <100 mg/dL. Patients prescribed statins were more likely to reach this goal (p < 0.01). A total of 85.0% of centers responding to the survey use statins as a part of their post-OHT protocol, primarily to reduce coronary artery vasculopathy (70.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the potential for improved outcomes, a large proportion of patients are prescribed a statin. Our results support previous findings that statins are safe and effective in reducing LDL-C in the management of dyslipidemias in OHT recipients. Nonetheless, dyslipidemias are suboptimally managed in many post-OHT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon de Denus
- Fellow in Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, PA 19103-4495, USA
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Chin C, Gamberg P, Miller J, Luikart H, Bernstein D. Efficacy and safety of atorvastatin after pediatric heart transplantation. J Heart Lung Transplant 2002; 21:1213-7. [PMID: 12431495 DOI: 10.1016/s1053-2498(02)00455-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lipid abnormalities are prevalent after pediatric and adult heart transplantation. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors are efficacious and safe and can lower the incidence of graft coronary artery disease after heart transplantation in adults. Given the high prevalence of lipid abnormalities and the increased recognition of graft coronary disease in children, we retrospectively investigated the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin among pediatric heart transplant recipients. METHODS Thirty-eight patients were started on atorvastatin 48.2 +/- 54.4 months after transplantation. Atorvastatin dosage was 0.2 +/- 0.1 mg/kg per day. No patient had changes in drug dose unless there was evidence for rhabdomyolysis, myositis or an asymptomatic rise in creatine kinase above normal. Laboratory studies included total cholesterol, triglycerides; high, low and very low-density lipoproteins (HDL, LDL and VLDL, respectively); creatine kinase; creatine; and serum alanine transaminase. RESULTS Significant declines in total cholesterol (20%), triglyceride (18%) and LDL (26%) were observed after starting atorvastatin therapy. There were no significant changes in HDL or VLDL compared with baseline. There were also no differences in alanine transaminase pre- vs post-atorvastatin therapy. Complications included muscle pain (n = 2) and asymptomatic elevations in creatine kinase (n = 2). Two of these 4 patients developed rhabdomyolysis. Excluding these 4 patients, creatine kinase did not rise compared with baseline. No patient developed alterations in renal function. CONCLUSIONS Use of atorvastatin in pediatric heart transplant recipients is effective in lowering total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL without altering HDL levels. Complications included rhabdomyolysis, seen in 5%. Baseline and routine screening of creatine kinase should be employed in all pediatric patients undergoing HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clifford Chin
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA
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Malhotra HS, Goa KL. Atorvastatin: an updated review of its pharmacological properties and use in dyslipidaemia. Drugs 2002; 61:1835-81. [PMID: 11693468 DOI: 10.2165/00003495-200161120-00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Atorvastatin is a synthetic hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor. In dosages of 10 to 80 mg/day, atorvastatin reduces levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol in patients with a wide variety of dyslipidaemias. In large long-term trials in patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia. atorvastatin produced greater reductions in total cholesterol. LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels than other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. In patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), atorvastatin was more efficacious than lovastatin, pravastatin. fluvastatin and simvastatin in achieving target LDL-cholesterol levels and, in high doses, produced very low LDL-cholesterol levels. Aggressive reduction of serum LDL-cholesterol to 1.9 mmol/L with atorvastatin 80 mg/day for 16 weeks in patients with acute coronary syndromes significantly reduced the incidence of the combined primary end-point events and the secondary end-point of recurrent ischaemic events requiring rehospitalisation in the large. well-designed MIRACL trial. In the AVERT trial, aggressive lipid-lowering therapy with atorvastatin 80 mg/ day for 18 months was at least as effective as coronary angioplasty and usual care in reducing the incidence of ischaemic events in low-risk patients with stable CHD. Long-term studies are currently investigating the effects of atorvastatin on serious cardiac events and mortality in patients with CHD. Pharmacoeconomic studies have shown lipid-lowering with atorvastatin to be cost effective in patients with CHD, men with at least one risk factor for CHD and women with multiple risk factors for CHD. In available studies atorvastatin was more cost effective than most other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in achieving target LDL-cholesterol levels. Atorvastatin is well tolerated and adverse events are usually mild and transient. The tolerability profile of atorvastatin is similar to that of other available HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and to placebo. Elevations of liver transaminases and creatine phosphokinase are infrequent. There have been rare case reports of rhabdomyolysis occurring with concomitant use of atorvastatin and other drugs. CONCLUSION Atorvastatin is an appropriate first-line lipid-lowering therapy in numerous groups of patients at low to high risk of CHD. Additionally it has a definite role in treating patients requiring greater decreases in LDL-cholesterol levels. Long-term studies are under way to determine whether achieving very low LDL-cholesterol levels with atorvastatin is likely to show additional benefits on morbidity and mortality in patients with CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- H S Malhotra
- Adis International Limited, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, New Zealand
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Gregory CR, Katznelson S, Griffey SM, Kyles AE, Berryman ER. Fluvastatin in combination with rad significantly reduces graft vascular disease in rat cardiac allografts. Transplantation 2001; 72:989-93. [PMID: 11579289 DOI: 10.1097/00007890-200109270-00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND RAD is a potent immunosuppressive agent that has been shown to be effective in preventing acute and chronic allograft rejection in animal models. The HMGCoA reductase inhibitors have been found to reduce the incidence of graft vascular disease (GVD) in heart transplant patients and in animal models. This study was designed to investigate the effects of fluvastatin or pravastatin in a rodent model of GVD produced using low doses of RAD to prevent acute rejection. METHODS Hearts from Fisher 344 rats were heterotopically transplanted to Lewis rat recipients. RAD was administered orally at 0.5 mg/kg per day for days 0 to 14 and then 0.25 mg/kg per day for an additional 85 days to prevent acute rejection but allow for the development of GVD. Pravastatin (20 mg/kg per day) or fluvastatin (2 or 6 mg/kg per day) was added to the RAD treatment. At the end of a 100-day treatment period, the hearts were harvested for morphometric and histopathologic examinations. RESULTS Rats treated with fluvastatin, at either dose, had a significant (P< or =0.0239) decrease in coronary arterial intimal thickening (GVD) of approximately 43%. Rats treated with pravastatin had a 22% reduction in GVD that did not reach statistical significance. Treatment with fluvastatin, but not pravastatin, decreased the degree of endomyocardial mononuclear cell infiltration seen with RAD administered alone. CONCLUSIONS Fluvastatin significantly decreased GVD in a rat model produced using low-dose RAD immunosuppression. To a lesser extent, pravastatin also decreased GVD in this model. These data lend further support for the study of fluvastatin, pravastatin, and other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors for the prevention of GVD in cardiac transplant patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R Gregory
- Comparative Transplantation Laboratory, Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616-8745, USA
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Abstract
The mortality rates due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in transplant recipients are greater than in the general population. CVD is a major cause of both graft loss and patient death in renal transplant recipients, and improving cardiovascular health in transplant recipients will presumably help to extend both patient and graft survival. Further studies are needed to better evaluate the effectiveness of risk modification on subsequent CVD morbidity and mortality. There is no reason to consider risk factors for CVD such as hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus in transplant recipients differently from in the general population. In addition, there are specific transplantation risk factors such as acute rejection episodes and the use of immunosuppressive drugs. It is obvious that several of the immunosuppressive agents used today have disadvantageous influences on risk factors for CVD such as hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and post-transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM), but the relative importance of immunosuppressant-induced increases in these risk factors is basically unknown. This may be a strong argument for the selective use and individual tailoring of immunosuppressive agents based upon the risk factor profile of the patient, without jeopardising the function of the graft. Hyperlipidaemia is common after transplantation, and immunosuppression with corticosteroids, cyclosporin, or sirolimus (rapamycin) causes different types of post-transplantation hyperlipidaemia. However, to date, no studies have demonstrated that lipid lowering strategies significantly reduce CVD morbidity or mortality and improve allograft survival in transplant recipients. Several studies using preventive or interventional approaches are ongoing and will be reported in the near future. Post-transplantation hypertension appears to be a major risk factor determining graft and patient survival, and immunosuppressive agents have different effects on hypertension. Controlled studies support the opinion that post-transplantation hypertension must be treated as strictly as in a population with essential hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or chronic renal failure. As increasing numbers of immunosuppressive agents become available for use, we may be in a better position to tailor immunosuppressive therapy to the individual patient, avoiding the use of diabetogenic drugs, drug combinations, or inappropriate doses in patients susceptible to PTDM. Multiple acute rejection episodes have also been demonstrated to be a risk factor for CVD - a strong argument for the use of immunosuppressive drugs to reduce acute rejection. Until we have a better understanding from ongoing landmark studies on the management of CVD, presently available therapy to reduce risk factors needs to be used together with individual tailoring of immunosuppressive therapy with the aim of reducing CVD in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Fellström
- Department of Medical Sciences, University Hospital, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
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