Other Complications of Transplantation and Immunosuppressive Therapy

The fundamental problem associated with cardiac transplantation is undoubtedly the prevention and treatment of rejection, both acute and chronic. Anti-rejection therapy leads to complications, notably infection and, to a lesser extent, malignant tumor formation. There are many other potential complications, however, that are related to the transplantation operation or, particularly, to the immunocompromised status of the patient. These complications will be outlined and discussed below in the light of our own experience (at Oklahoma Transplantation Institute).