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Withdrawal of Steroids, Cyclosporine A Dose Reduction and Switch to Mycophenolatmofetile After Heart Transplantation

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Heart Transplantation
Interventions
Drug: prednisolon
Drug: Mycophenolatmofetile
Registration Number
NCT00359658
Lead Sponsor
Hannover Medical School
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is first to improve or save renal function and second to decrease cardiac risk factors by optimising the immunosuppressive regimen by withdrawing steroids and reducing the Cyclosporine A dose. The concomitant administration of Mycophenolatmofetile, an effective immunosuppressive agent, will minimize the risk of acute rejection episodes.

Detailed Description

The decrease of quality of life in patients after heart transplantation in the long-term is determined by an increasing incidence of transplant vasculopathy and by immunosuppression-related side effects. Calcineurin inhibitors are associated with chronic nephrotoxicity, while long-term administration of steroids results in an increased incidence of cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. hypertension, lipometabolic disorders, steroid induced diabetes, adipositas)and therefore, carries the potential of graft disfunction.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria
  • Current immunosuppressive regimen: Cyclosporine A and corticosteroids for at least six month
  • Heart transplantation above 3 years dated back
  • Serum creatinine < 3,5 mg/dl (310 µmol/l) and BUN < 150 mg/dl
  • Cyclosporine A blood level between 50 and 250 ng/ml during the last 12 month
Exclusion Criteria
  • Carcinoma within the last 3 years
  • Acute rejection episodes during the last 6 month
  • Infection requiring therapeutic intervention
  • Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV infection
  • WBC < 3000/µl, haemoglobin < 9g/dl, platelets < 70.000/µl
  • Florid gastrointestinal ulcer
  • Haemodialysis within the last 4 weeks before study entry
  • Pregnancy / lactation
  • Administration of other immunosuppressive agents than prescribed
  • Mycophenolatmofetile incompatibility

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
1Mycophenolatmofetileprednisolon withdrawal: reduction of maintenance dosage, 0,5 mg of the daily dose every week till withdrawal; Mycophenolatmofetile administration: start doses 250 mg, increase of the daily dose about 250 mg every week till reaching 2 g/daily; Cyclosporin A reduction: 8 weeks after starting prednisolon withdrawal and Mycophenolatmofetile administration reduction of Cyclosporin A trough level till a range from 50 to 90 mg/ml
1prednisolonprednisolon withdrawal: reduction of maintenance dosage, 0,5 mg of the daily dose every week till withdrawal; Mycophenolatmofetile administration: start doses 250 mg, increase of the daily dose about 250 mg every week till reaching 2 g/daily; Cyclosporin A reduction: 8 weeks after starting prednisolon withdrawal and Mycophenolatmofetile administration reduction of Cyclosporin A trough level till a range from 50 to 90 mg/ml
1Cyclosporin Aprednisolon withdrawal: reduction of maintenance dosage, 0,5 mg of the daily dose every week till withdrawal; Mycophenolatmofetile administration: start doses 250 mg, increase of the daily dose about 250 mg every week till reaching 2 g/daily; Cyclosporin A reduction: 8 weeks after starting prednisolon withdrawal and Mycophenolatmofetile administration reduction of Cyclosporin A trough level till a range from 50 to 90 mg/ml
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Renal function evaluated by serum creatinine at month 12 and month 24month 12 and month 24
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Cardiovascular risk factors at month 12 and month 24month 12 and month 24
Acute rejection episodes, gastrointestinal disorders and other adverse events at month 12 and month 24month 12 and month 24
Quality of life assessed by the SF36, spiroergometry, concomitant medication at month 12 and month 24month 12 and month 24

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hannover Medical School, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

🇩🇪

Hannover, Germany

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