Rapid Corticosteroid Withdrawal After Cardiac Transplantation Improves Outcomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Modern immunosuppressive regimens have been associated with lower rejection rates after heart transplantation (HTx), yet long-term outcomes have remained limited by drug-related complications. Since 2010, our program has implemented a protocolized corticosteroid withdrawal (CSW) strategy following induction with rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (RATG) and methylprednisolone. The protocol consists of shifting from a high-dose regimen to a minimization approach with a goal of steroid discontinuation within 12 months.

Methods

We evaluated the impact of this approach on the combined primary endpoint of freedom from allograft rejection ISHLT ≥ 2R, infection, non-cutaneous cancer, or coronary artery vasculopathy (CAV). We conducted a retrospective single-center study incl

SUBMITTER: Minato C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12710205 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature