Altered use of immunosuppressants following orthotopic liver transplantation

To analyze the altered use of immunosuppressants in the recipients following orthotopic liver transplantation. Methods The clinical data of altered use of immunosuppressants in 48 recipients from 67 patients undergoing liver transplantation consecutively between April 1993 and July 2001 were analyzed retrospectively. Results Immunosuppressant strategy conversion due to rejection or side-effect occurred in 21 of 48 cases (43.8 %), including 15 of 31 cases (48.4 %) receiving CsA +Aza +corti-costeroid strategy and 6 of 14 cases (43 % ) receiving CsA+ MMF+ corticosteroid strategy. There was conversion for rejection in 8 cases, nephorotoxicity in 11 cases, hepatotoxicity in 4 cases, leukopenia in 7 cases, severe infection in 3 cases, and tremor in one case. Conclusion The timely and appropriate conversion of the immunasuppressive strategy is essential for the recipient and graft survival.