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Farcas AO, Stoica MC, Maier IM, Maier AC, Sin AI. Heart Transplant Rejection: From the Endomyocardial Biopsy to Gene Expression Profiling. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1926. [PMID: 39200392 PMCID: PMC11351478 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12081926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Heart transplant prolongs life for patients with end-stage heart failure but rejection remains a complication that reduces long-term survival. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current status in HT rejection. EMB is an invasive diagnostic tool, consisting in the sampling of a fragment of myocardial tissue from the right ventricular septum using fluoroscopic guidance. This tissue can later be subjected to histopathological, immunohistochemical or molecular analysis, providing valuable information for cardiac allograft rejection, but this procedure is not without complications. To increase the accuracy of the rejection diagnosis, EMB requires a systematic evaluation of endocardium, myocardium, interstitium and intramural vessels. There are three types of rejection: hyperacute, acute or chronic, diagnosed by the histopathological evaluation of EMB as well as by new diagnostic methods such as DSA, ddcfDNA and gene expression profiling, the last having a high negative predictive value. More than 50 years after the introduction of EMB in medical practice, it still remains the "gold standard" in monitoring rejection in HT recipients but other new, less invasive diagnostic methods reduce the number of EMBs required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Otilia Farcas
- Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania;
- Department of Cell Biology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania;
| | - Mihai Ciprian Stoica
- Department of Nephrology/Internal Medicine, Mures County Clinical Hospital, 540103 Targu Mures, Romania
- Department of Internal Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | | | - Adrian Cornel Maier
- Emergency Military Hospital, 800150 Galati, Romania;
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dunarea de Jos University, 800008 Galati, Romania
| | - Anca Ileana Sin
- Department of Cell Biology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania;
- Department of Pathology, Clinical County Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
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Eberhardt TE, Kim DH, Nethersole S, Pearson GJ. Assessment of immunosuppression induction with basiliximab compared to antithymocyte-globulin in adult heart transplant patients. Clin Transplant 2024; 38:e15332. [PMID: 38804609 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.15332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients undergoing heart transplants are at risk of rejection which can have significant morbidity and mortality. Induction immunosuppression at the time of transplant reduces the early risk and has additional benefits. The induction agent of choice within our program was changed from rabbit antithymocyte-globulin (rATG) to basiliximab, so it was necessary to evaluate whether this had any impact on patient outcomes. OBJECTIVES Our primary objective was to describe rejection, infection, and other outcomes in adult heart transplant patients at the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, Canada. METHODS This study was a nonrandomized, retrospective cohort study. RESULTS Sixty-three patients were included with median ages 50 years versus 54 years. More female patients received rATG (20% vs. 42.4%). The most common indication for transplant in both cohorts was ICM (63.3% vs. 57.6%). Patients who received rATG had significantly higher PRA (0% vs. 43%, p < .001). Acute rejection episodes were similar between basiliximab and rATG at 3 months (16.7% vs. 15.1%; p = 1.0) and 6-months (30.0% vs. 18.1%; p = .376). Infections were not statistically different with basiliximab compared to rATG at 3-months, 43.3% vs. 63.6% and at 6-months 60.0% vs. 66.7%). There were no fatalities in either group. CONCLUSIONS Our study did not demonstrate differences in rejection with basiliximab compared to rATG. Mortality did not differ, but basiliximab-treated patients had fewer infections and infection-related hospitalizations than those treated with rATG. Larger studies with longer durations are needed to more completely describe the differences in rejection and infectious outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel H Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Division of Cardiology, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Shannon Nethersole
- Transplant Services, University of Alberta Hospital, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Glen J Pearson
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Division of Cardiology, Edmonton, Canada
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Kugathasan L, Rayner DG, Wang SM, Rodenas-Alesina E, Orchanian-Cheff A, Stehlik J, Gustafsson F, Greig D, McDonald M, Bertolotti AM, Demas-Clarke P, Kozuszko S, Guyatt G, Foroutan F, Alba AC. Induction therapy in heart transplantation: A systematic review and network meta-analysis for developing evidence-based recommendations. Clin Transplant 2024; 38:e15326. [PMID: 38716786 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.15326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Induction therapy (IT) utility in heart transplantation (HT) remains contested. Commissioned by a clinical-practice guidelines panel to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of IT in adult HT patients, we conducted this systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA). METHODS We searched for studies from January 2000 to October 2022, reporting on the use of any IT agent in adult HT patients. Based on patient-important outcomes, we performed frequentist NMAs separately for RCTs and observational studies with adjusted analyses, and assessed the certainty of evidence using the GRADE framework. RESULTS From 5156 publications identified, we included 7 RCTs and 12 observational studies, and report on two contemporarily-used IT agents-basiliximab and rATG. The RCTs provide only very low certainty evidence and was uninformative of the effect of the two agents versus no IT or one another. With low certainty in the evidence from observational studies, basiliximab may increase 30-day (OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.06-1.20) and 1-year (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.02-1.22) mortality compared to no IT. With low certainty from observational studies, rATG may decrease 5-year cardiac allograft vasculopathy (OR .82; 95% CI .74-.90) compared to no IT, as well as 30-day (OR .85; 95% CI .80-.92), 1-year (OR .87; 95% CI .79-.96), and overall (HR .84; 95% CI .76-.93) mortality compared to basiliximab. CONCLUSION With low and very low certainty in the synthetized evidence, these NMAs suggest possible superiority of rATG compared to basiliximab, but do not provide compelling evidence for the routine use of these agents in HT recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Kugathasan
- Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel G Rayner
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Josef Stehlik
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Finn Gustafsson
- Rigshospitalet - Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Douglas Greig
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Michael McDonald
- Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Stella Kozuszko
- Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gordon Guyatt
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Farid Foroutan
- Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ana Carolina Alba
- Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Fraser M, Page RL, Chow S, Alexy T, Peters L. Pharmacotherapy in the heart transplant recipient: A primer for nurse clinicians and pharmacists. Clin Transplant 2024; 38:e15252. [PMID: 38341767 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.15252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Heart transplantation (HT) is the definitive treatment for eligible patients with end-stage heart disease. A major complication of HT is allograft rejection which can lead to graft dysfunction and death. The guiding principle of chronic immunosuppression therapy is to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ while avoiding oversuppression of the immune system, which can cause opportunistic infections and malignancy. The purpose of this review is to describe immunosuppressive management of the HT recipient-including agent-specific pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, outcomes data, adverse effects, clinical considerations, and recent guideline updates. We will also provide recommendations for medical prophylaxis of immunosuppressed patients based on the most recent clinical guidelines. Additionally, we highlight the importance of medical therapy adherence and the effect of social determinants of health on the long-term management of HT. HT recipients are a complex and high-risk population. The objective of this review is to describe basic pharmacotherapy in HT and implications for nurses and pharmacists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meg Fraser
- Division of Cardiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Robert L Page
- Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Sheryl Chow
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, USA
| | - Tamas Alexy
- Division of Cardiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Laura Peters
- Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Xie X, Wu Q. Basic situation and trend analysis in heart transplantation research funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Clin Transplant 2023; 37:e15108. [PMID: 37638397 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.15108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study analyzes heart transplantation funding provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) between 1986 and 2022. The findings offer an objective and scientific reference for heart transplantation research. METHODS CiteSpace visualization was used to present keywords in heart transplantation research. RESULTS From 1986 to 2022, the NFSC disbursed ¥117.68 million to fund 259 projects related to heart transplantation. Hubei, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong, and Heilongjiang received the most funding. General and youth science fund projects accounted for 58.69% and 30.50%, respectively. The main discipline category was organ transplantation and transplantation immunity, accounting for 40.93%. Research hotspots included "immune tolerance," "rejection reaction," "t cell" "dendritic cell," "stem cell," and "transplantation tolerance." Research foci were "rejection reaction," "heart failure," "immune tolerance," "heart transplantation," "stem cell," "suppressor cell," "dendritic cell," "dilated cardiomyopathy," and "t cell." In the past 5 years, the research frontier has targeted "transplantation tolerance," "ischemia-reperfusion injury," and "heart transplantation." CONCLUSION Continuous NSFC funding for heart transplantation research has promoted the development of disciplines and cultivation of talent. Novel technologies (e.g., artificial hearts and donor maintenance) have generated new requirements for heart transplantation research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianyu Xie
- Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China
| | - Qinde Wu
- Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China
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Rudzik KN, Rivosecchi RM, Palmer BA, Hickey GW, Huston JH, Keebler ME, Kaczorowski DJ, Horn ET. Basiliximab induction versus no induction in adult heart transplantation. Clin Transplant 2023; 37:e14937. [PMID: 36793206 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Induction immunosuppression in heart transplant recipients varies greatly by center. Basiliximab (BAS) is the most commonly used induction immunosuppressant but has not been shown to reduce rejection or improve survival. The objective of this retrospective study was to compare rejection, infection, and mortality within the first 12 months following heart transplant in patients who received BAS or no induction. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of adult heart transplant recipients given BAS or no induction from January 1, 2017 to May 31, 2021. The primary endpoint was incidence of treated acute cellular rejection (ACR) at 12-months post-transplant. Secondary endpoints included ACR at 90 days post-transplant, incidence of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) at 90 days and 1 year, incidence of infection, and all-cause mortality at 1 year. RESULTS A total of 108 patients received BAS, and 26 patients received no induction within the specified timeframe. There was a lower incidence of ACR within the first year in the BAS group compared to the no induction group (27.7 vs. 68.2%, p < .002). BAS was independently associated with a lower probability of having a rejection event during the first 12-months post-transplant (hazard ratio (HR) .285, 95% confidence interval [CI] .142-.571, p < .001). There was no difference in the rate of infection and in mortality after hospital discharge at 1-year post-transplant (6% vs. 0%, p = .20). CONCLUSION BAS appears to be associated with greater freedom from rejection without an increase in infections. BAS may be a preferred to a no induction strategy in patients undergoing heart transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryan M Rivosecchi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brittany A Palmer
- Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gavin W Hickey
- Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jessica H Huston
- Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mary E Keebler
- Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David J Kaczorowski
- Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Edward T Horn
- Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Velleca A, Shullo MA, Dhital K, Azeka E, Colvin M, DePasquale E, Farrero M, García-Guereta L, Jamero G, Khush K, Lavee J, Pouch S, Patel J, Michaud CJ, Shullo M, Schubert S, Angelini A, Carlos L, Mirabet S, Patel J, Pham M, Urschel S, Kim KH, Miyamoto S, Chih S, Daly K, Grossi P, Jennings D, Kim IC, Lim HS, Miller T, Potena L, Velleca A, Eisen H, Bellumkonda L, Danziger-Isakov L, Dobbels F, Harkess M, Kim D, Lyster H, Peled Y, Reinhardt Z. The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) Guidelines for the Care of Heart Transplant Recipients. J Heart Lung Transplant 2022; 42:e1-e141. [PMID: 37080658 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2022.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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Velleca A, Shullo MA, Dhital K, Azeka E, Colvin M, DePasquale E, Farrero M, García-Guereta L, Jamero G, Khush K, Lavee J, Pouch S, Patel J, Michaud CJ, Shullo M, Schubert S, Angelini A, Carlos L, Mirabet S, Patel J, Pham M, Urschel S, Kim KH, Miyamoto S, Chih S, Daly K, Grossi P, Jennings D, Kim IC, Lim HS, Miller T, Potena L, Velleca A, Eisen H, Bellumkonda L, Danziger-Isakov L, Dobbels F, Harkess M, Kim D, Lyster H, Peled Y, Reinhardt Z. The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) Guidelines for the Care of Heart Transplant Recipients. J Heart Lung Transplant 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2022.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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Rabbit Antithymocyte Globulin Induction in Heart Transplant Recipients at High Risk for Rejection. Ochsner J 2021; 21:133-138. [PMID: 34239371 PMCID: PMC8238107 DOI: 10.31486/toj.20.0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Induction with lymphocyte-depleting antibodies may improve allograft outcomes in heart transplant recipients who are at high immunologic risk for rejection. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study that compared outcomes between adult patients receiving rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) induction vs no induction from 2011 through 2017. Key exclusion criteria were patients who did not receive tacrolimus and mycophenolate and patients who did not meet high immunologic risk criteria. Results: A total of 50 patients were included in the analysis. At 1 year, the composite primary outcome of ≥2R rejection as defined by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, any treated rejection, development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy, or graft loss was not different between groups (P=0.474). Serious infections were also similar between groups (P=0.963). In accordance with institutional guidelines, prednisone exposure was decreased in the rATG induction group at 1 month (24.04 mg ± 13.74 vs 35.18 mg ± 16.95; P=0.014). Conclusion: These results suggest that while rATG induction does not improve heart allograft outcomes, it may enable reducing early corticosteroid exposure in patients at high immunologic risk.
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Diaz-Castrillon CE, Huckaby LV, Hickey G, Sultan I, Kilic A. Induction Immunosuppression and Renal Outcomes in Adult Heart Transplantation. J Surg Res 2020; 259:14-23. [PMID: 33278793 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2020.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study explores the use of induction therapy in orthotopic heart transplantation as it relates to preoperative renal function and evaluates the impact of its utilization on post-transplant outcomes. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis using the United Network for Organ Sharing database from 2000 to 2018 evaluating the initiation of de novo dialysis after transplantation. We examined the relationship between induction immunosuppression and pre-transplant estimated glomerular filtration rate with post-transplant outcomes, accounting for inter-center variability through a mixed-effects logistic regression model. RESULTS In total, 16,201 patients were included with a median age of 57 y (interquartile range 47, 63); 26% were women (n = 4222) and 28% (n = 4552) had a history of diabetes mellitus. The median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 67.5 mL/min (interquartile range 53.1, 86.7); 51.2% (n = 3068) of the recipients with eGFR < 60 received induction therapy compared to 42.5% (n = 4336) within the eGFR ≥ 60 group (P < 0.001). Adjusted multivariable analysis found that induction therapy was associated with de novo dialysis (odds ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.10-1.43, P < 0.001), with the most significant effect on patients with eGFR ≥ 60. Although significant, there was a weak correlation between center-level induction utilization and mean eGFR (r = -0.2, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION In this analysis, the use of induction immunosuppression in orthotopic heart transplantation varied widely between centers and did not correlate strongly with pre-transplant eGFR. In addition, its utilization did not mitigate the risk of renal replacement therapy after transplantation and in fact was associated with increased risk even after adjusting for confounders most notably in patients with eGFR ≥ 60.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lauren V Huckaby
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Gavin Hickey
- Division of Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Ibrahim Sultan
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Arman Kilic
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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