Impact of tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil regimen vs. a conventional therapy with steroids on cardiovascular risk in liver transplant patients. (29th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cuervas‐Mons, Valentín; Herrero, J. Ignacio; Gomez, Miguel A.; González‐Pinto, Ignacio; Serrano, Trinidad; de la Mata, Manuel; Fabregat, Joan; Gastaca, Mikel; Bilbao, Itxarone; Varo, Evaristo; Sánchez‐Antolín, Gloria; Rodrigo, Juan; Espinosa, María Dolores
• Is Part Of: Clinical transplantation. Volume 29:Number 8(2015)
• Page Start: 667
• Page End: 677
• Publication Date: 2015-06-29
• Subjects: cardiovascular risk factors -- immunosuppression -- liver transplantation -- mycophenolate mofetil -- steroids -- tacrolimus; Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc -- Periodicals; 617.95
• DOI: 10.1111/ctr.12557
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0902-0063

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a steroid‐free regimen with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil (modified therapy) vs. a standard regimen of tacrolimus and steroids on the cardiovascular risk score of liver transplant recipients. Patients who received a liver transplant were randomized to a modified therapy (n = 58) or a standard regimen (n = 59). Both groups were balanced at baseline, except for a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) (p < 0.01) and a higher serum creatinine concentration (p < 0.05) in the modified therapy group. After 12 months, the prevalence of new‐onset DM, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and changes in cardiovascular risk factors was similar in both groups. The increase in serum creatinine (mg/dL) compared to baseline at one yr post‐transplantation was numerically lower in the modified therapy group (0.22 ± 0.42) than in the standard regimen group (0.41 ± 0.67) (p = 0.068). Although estimated cardiovascular risk score did not vary significantly compared to baseline in either group, there was a slight reduction in the modified regimen (−0.27 ± 2.87) vs. a mild increase (0.17 ± 2.94) in the standard regimen (p = 0.566). In conclusion, a steroid‐free regimen with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil was associated with a trend toward better preservation of kidney function and reduction of cardiovascular risk score.