Immunosuppression for postcardiac transplant patients

Abstract

After the introduction of immunosuppressive drugs in the management of postheart transplant patients, the incidence of rejection has decreased significantly resulted in improvement in mortality and long-term outcome. Induction regimens provide intense early postoperative immune suppression while maintenance regimens are used throughout the patient's life to prevent both acute and chronic rejection. An immunosuppressive regimen tailored individually for each patient will help in decreasing the incidence of adverse events and complications. A complete understanding of currently available immunosuppressive agents is therefore essential.

Keywords

• Heart transplant
• immunosuppression
• rejection
• rejection therapy