Abstract
Cyclosporine A was withdrawn from a triple drug immunosuppressive regimen in 10 clinically and biochemically stable liver transplant patients, This study reports the effects of cyclosporine A withdrawal on liver tests and liver histology.
Serum aspartate amino transferase and serum alanine amino transferase values increased significantly, Seven out of ten patients had histological changes after cyclosporine A withdrawal, but not before, These changes were compatible with acute rejection (consistent with rejection) in two patients and grade I also in two patients, including one patient with a second graft. Only two of these patients needed corticosteroid treatment (one consistent with rejection and one grade I rejection). Cyclosporine A treatment was restarted in three patients, because a coexisting osteoporosis prohibited prolonged corticosteroid recycling, Seven patients were able to maintain stable though slightly elevated transaminases without cyclosporine A, with a follow up of median 26 months.
Our results suggest that in stable patients cyclosporine A withdrawal can be considered, for instance 2 years after liver transplantation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 151-157 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Journal of Hepatology |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - Feb-1995 |
Keywords
- CYCLOSPORINE A WITHDRAWAL
- LIVER HISTOLOGY
- LIVER TESTS
- ALLOGRAFT-REJECTION
- RENAL-FUNCTION
- RECIPIENTS