The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Vol 88, 952-957, Copyright © 1984 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery and The Western Thoracic Surgical Association
Targeted blood levels of cyclosporin for cardiac transplantation
BP Griffith, RL Hardesty, A Trento, A Lee and HT Bahnson
Forty-nine patients have undergone cardiac transplantation since July,
1982, and have been treated with maintenance cyclosporin and low-dose
prednisone, 15 to 20 mg. Cyclosporin dose has been targeted to a whole-
blood level of 1,000 ng/ml as measured by radioimmune assay. The actuarial
survival rate in this group of patients has been 79% at 12 months and 71%
at 21 months. Histologic rejection has occurred at all blood levels of
cyclosporin, as has significant nephrotoxicity. The hepatic toxicity
encountered has been more a clinical nuisance than significant problem. The
administered dose of cyclosporin required to reach a target of 1,000 ng/ml
has varied between 2 and 30 mg/kg/day. The average perioperative and late
serum creatinine levels were 1.2 and 1.49 mg/dl and occurred with
cyclosporin levels of 1,078 and 1,068 ng/ml, respectively. Late cyclosporin
toxicity has persisted despite reduction in the dose of cyclosporin below
the targeted 1,000 ng/ml. Some method of blood level monitoring is
necessary in patients receiving cyclosporin immune suppression to assure
adequacy of the administered dose. The 1,000 ng/ml target has provided
adequate immune suppression. Significant nephrotoxicity has not correlated
with the blood level measured.