| pubmed-article:2440140 | pubmed:abstractText | Two patients suffering from dilated Cardiomyopathy (CMP) had to undergo orthotopic heart transplantation (HTX). In both cases, the postoperative period was without any complications. The immunosuppression consisted of Cyclosporin-A and Azathioprine including a one week prophylactic treatment with Antithymocyte Globuline (ATG). Four months postoperatively, they developed clinical signs of heart failure. The endomyocardial biopsies showed rejection at stage I according to Billingham's grading plus a fine interstitial fibrosis. Therefore, the Cyclosporin treatment was suspended and replaced by conventional immunosuppression consisting of Prednisolone and Azathioprine. Acute heart failure was managed by catecholamines in combination with aggressive diuretic therapy. After three weeks, both patients recovered. 12 weeks later, one died because of an acute rejection episode. The other is in good condition, with conventional immunosuppression at the present time. A vascular process caused by Cyclosporin-A as the pathogenic mechanism is considered. The absence of rejection signs in the biopsies as well as the remarkable improvement of heart failure after withdrawal of Cyclosporin-A support this possibility. | lld:pubmed |
