Pharmacology of Immunosuppression

As discussed in the subsequent chapters of this section, transplant of solid organs has emerged to become a viable and very realistic option for the treatment of a variety of disorders. The outcomes from transplantation of solid organs, including Heart, Heart/Lung, Lung, Kidney, Liver, Small Bowel, Liver/Small Bowel/Pancreas have improved significantly with time. To a large measure, the successes in solid transplant programs have occurred concomitantly with advances in surgical techniques and prevention of acute and chronic allograft rejection. As many of these children are cared for in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) environment, both immediately after as well as with the myriad of potential complications and long-term problems that may occur, clinicians working in the PICU must have an in-depth understanding of the pharmacology of immunosuppressive medications as well as their potential adverse effects.