Heart transplant rejection treated with plasmapheresis

J Heart Lung Transplant. 1992 Mar-Apr;11(2 Pt 1):301-5.

Abstract

The vascular element of a mixed type of rejection after orthotopic heart transplantation did not respond to steroid therapy in a 30-year-old man. Plasmapheresis was associated with the resolution of the clinical signs of rejection and the microscopic changes of vasculitis in the biopsy specimen. This case suggests that plasmapheresis may be useful in the treatment of acute vascular rejection in heart transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / complications
  • Graft Rejection*
  • Heart Transplantation / immunology*
  • Heart Transplantation / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Plasmapheresis*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Methylprednisolone