Successful reversal of severe refractory cardiac allograft rejection by photopheresis

J Heart Lung Transplant. 2001 Nov;20(11):1233-6. doi: 10.1016/s1053-2498(01)00322-9.

Abstract

We treated 4 patients with refractory International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation Grades IIIA to IV cardiac allograft rejection with extracorporeal photopheresis. Following treatment on 2 consecutive days, 3 patients demonstrated complete histologic reversal of rejection. The remaining patient improved more gradually, but manifested complete cessation of rejection following three 2-day treatments. We conclude that photopheresis is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of severe refractory cardiac allograft rejection and that these results support the use of photopheresis in this clinical setting.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection / therapy*
  • Heart Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Photopheresis*