Dilated Cardiomyopathy in an Adult Renal Transplant Recipient: Recovery Upon Tacrolimus to Sirolimus Switch: A Case Report

Transplant Proc. 2020 Nov;52(9):2758-2761. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2020.06.011. Epub 2020 Jul 20.

Abstract

The objective of immunosuppressive drugs used in solid organ transplantation is to achieve acceptable rejection rates, minimize infections, and prolong graft and patient survival. Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death in kidney transplant recipients. The drugs commonly used to prevent rejection (calcineurin inhibitors [CNIs] and steroids) contribute to cardiac disease seen in transplant patients by increasing the risk of hypertension and diabetes. Direct cardiac toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs such as doxorubicin is well-known but potential direct effect of CNIs on myocardium is less explored and understood. Cardiac toxicity a rare but serious adverse effect of tacrolimus, has been observed in patients receiving solid organ transplants such as liver, bowel and kidney. In this report, we describe a case of new onset severe dilated cardiomyopathy after kidney transplantation. Reversal of heart failure occurred after tacrolimus discontinuation and the switch to a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor: sirolimus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / chemically induced*
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Middle Aged
  • Sirolimus / therapeutic use*
  • Tacrolimus / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Sirolimus
  • Tacrolimus