Adherence with immunosuppression in heart transplant recipients

Curr Opin Organ Transplant. 2015 Apr;20(2):193-7. doi: 10.1097/MOT.0000000000000166.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Nonadherence is a major problem in heart transplantation (htx) and a challenge for clinical practice and research. In heart transplant recipients, nonadherence could cause chronic rejection of the transplanted heart followed by difficult clinical course and/or death of the patient.

Recent findings: Main topics are the relationship between psychological aspects and adherence, risk factors and prediction of nonadherence, strategies for improving adherence like single-dose immunosuppressant therapy and follow-up studies.

Summary: There is a lack of behavioral intervention studies. So-called targeted interventions should be defined for clinical practice and research with randomized controlled studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Early Intervention, Educational
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control
  • Heart Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Risk Factors
  • Transplant Recipients

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents