| 1. |
- Ahn, Jung-Min, et al.
(author)
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Prognostic value of comprehensive intracoronary physiology assessment early after heart transplantation.
- 2021
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In: European heart journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1522-9645 .- 0195-668X. ; 42:48, s. 4918-4929
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We evaluated the long-term prognostic value of invasively assessing coronary physiology after heart transplantation in a large multicentre registry.Comprehensive intracoronary physiology assessment measuring fractional flow reserve (FFR), the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR), and coronary flow reserve (CFR) was performed in 254 patients at baseline (a median of 7.2weeks) and in 240 patients at 1year after transplantation (199 patients had both baseline and 1-year measurement). Patients were classified into those with normal physiology, reduced FFR (FFR≤0.80), and microvascular dysfunction (either IMR≥25 or CFR≤2.0 with FFR>0.80). The primary outcome was the composite of death or re-transplantation at 10years. At baseline, 5.5% had reduced FFR; 36.6% had microvascular dysfunction. Baseline reduced FFR [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88-6.15; P=0.088] and microvascular dysfunction (aHR 0.88, 95% CI 0.44-1.79; P=0.73) were not predictors of death and re-transplantation at 10years. At 1year, 5.0% had reduced FFR; 23.8% had microvascular dysfunction. One-year reduced FFR (aHR 2.98, 95% CI 1.13-7.87; P=0.028) and microvascular dysfunction (aHR 2.33, 95% CI 1.19-4.59; P=0.015) were associated with significantly increased risk of death or re-transplantation at 10years. Invasive measures of coronary physiology improved the prognostic performance of clinical variables (χ2 improvement: 7.41, P=0.006). However, intravascular ultrasound-derived changes in maximal intimal thickness were not predictive of outcomes.Abnormal coronary physiology 1year after heart transplantation was common and was a significant predictor of death or re-transplantation at 10years.
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| 2. |
- Arora, Satish, et al.
(author)
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Effect of Everolimus Initiation and Calcineurin Inhibitor Elimination on Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy in De Novo Heart Transplant Recipients
- 2018
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In: Circulation. Heart failure. - 1941-3297. ; 11:9, s. 004050-004050
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) limits survival after heart transplantation, and the effect of different immunosuppressive regimens on CAV is not fully understood. The randomized SCHEDULE trial (Scandinavian Heart Transplant Everolimus De Novo Study With Early Calcineurin Inhibitors Avoidance) evaluated whether initiation of the proliferation signal inhibitor everolimus and early cyclosporine elimination can reduce CAV development. Methods and Results The SCHEDULE trial was a multicenter Scandinavian trial, where 115 de novo heart transplantation recipients were randomized to everolimus with complete cyclosporine withdrawal 7 to 11 weeks after heart transplantation or standard cyclosporine-based immunosuppression. Seventy-six (66%) patients had matched intravascular ultrasound examinations at baseline and 12 and 36 months. Intravascular ultrasound analysis evaluated maximal intimal thickness, percent atheroma volume, and total atheroma volume. Qualitative plaque analysis using virtual histology assessed fibrous, fibrofatty, and calcified tissue as well as necrotic core. Serum inflammatory markers were measured in parallel. The everolimus group (n=37) demonstrated significantly reduced CAV progression as compared with the cyclosporine group (n=39) at 36 months (Δ maximal intimal thickness, 0.09±0.05 versus 0.15±0.16 mm [ P=0.03]; Δ percent atheroma volume, 5.3±2.8% versus 7.6±5.9% [ P=0.03]; and Δ total atheroma volume, 33.9±71.2 versus 54.2±96.0 mm3 [ P=0.34], respectively]. At 36 months the number of everolimus patients with rejection graded ≥2R was 15 (41%) as compared with 5 (13%) in the cyclosporine group ( P=0.01). Everolimus did not affect CAV morphology or immune marker activity during the follow-up period. Conclusions The SCHEDULE trial demonstrates that everolimus initiation and early cyclosporine elimination significantly reduces CAV progression at 12 months, and this beneficial effect is clearly sustained at 36 months. Clinical trial registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01266148.
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| 3. |
- Arora, Satish, et al.
(author)
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Effect of Everolimus Introduction on Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy-Results of a Randomized, Multicenter Trial
- 2011
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In: Transplantation. - : Williams and Wilkins. - 0041-1337 .- 1534-6080. ; 92:2, s. 235-243
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background. Everolimus reduces the progression of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) in de novo heart transplant (HTx) recipients, but the influence on established CAV is unknown. Methods. In this Nordic Certican Trial in Heart and lung Transplantation substudy, 111 maintenance HTx recipients (time post-HTx 5.8 +/- 4.3 years) randomized to everolimus+reduced calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) or standard CNI had matching (intravascular ultrasound) examinations at baseline and 12 months allowing accurate assessment of CAV progression. Results. No significant difference in CAV progression was evident between the treatment groups (P=0.30). When considering patients receiving concomitant azathioprine (AZA) therapy (n=39), CAV progression was attenuated with everolimus versus standard CNI (Delta maximal intimal thickness 0.00 +/- 0.04 and 0.04 +/- 0.04 mm, Delta percent atheroma volume 0.2%+/- 3.0% and 2.6%+/- 2.5%, and Delta total atheroma volume 0.25 +/- 14.1 and 19.8 +/- 20.4 mm(3), respectively [Pless than0.05]). When considering patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), accelerated CAV progression occurred with everolimus versus standard CNI (Delta maximal intimal thickness 0.06 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.02 +/- 0.06 mm and Delta percent atheroma volume 4.0%+/- 6.3% vs. 1.4%+/- 3.1%, respectively; Pless than0.05). The levels of C-reactive protein and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 declined significantly with AZA+everolimus, whereas MMF+everolimus patients demonstrated a significant increase in levels of C-reactive protein, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and von Willebrand factor. Conclusions. Conversion to everolimus and reduced CNI does not influence CAV progression among maintenance HTx recipients. However, background immunosuppressive therapy is important as AZA+everolimus patients demonstrated attenuated CAV progression and a decline in inflammatory markers, whereas the opposite pattern was seen with everolimus +MMF. The different effect of everolimus when combined with AZA versus MMF could potentially reflect hitherto unknown interactions.
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| 4. |
- Arora, Satish, et al.
(author)
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Improvement in renal function after everolimus introduction and calcineurin inhibitor reduction in maintenance thoracic transplant recipients: The significance of baseline glomerular filtration rate
- 2012
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In: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. - : Elsevier. - 1053-2498 .- 1557-3117. ; 31:3, s. 259-265
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The NOCTET (NOrdic Certican Trial in HEart and lung Transplantation) trial demonstrated that everolimus improves renal function in maintenance thoracic transplant (FIX) recipients. Nevertheless, introduction of everolimus is not recommended for patients with advanced renal failure. We evaluated NOCTET data to assess everolimus introduction amongst TTx recipients with advanced renal failure. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMETHODS: This 12-month multicenter Scandinavian study randomized 282 maintenance TTx recipients to everolimus introduction with calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) reduction or standard CNI therapy. The measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) was noted at baseline and after 1-year using Cr-ethylenediarninetetraacetic acid clearance. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanRESULTS: In 21 patients with a baseline mGFR of 20 to 29 ml/min/1.73 m(2), renal function improved in the everolimus group compared with the control group ((Delta mGFR 6.7 +/- 9.0 vs -1.6 +/- 5.1 ml/min/1.73 m(2); p = 0.03). Amongst 173 patients with moderate renal impairment (mGFR 30-59 ml/min/1.73 m(2)), renal function improvement was also greater amongst everolimus patients than in controls (Delta mGFR 5.1 +/- 11.1 vs -0.5 +/- 8.7 ml/min/1.73 m(2); p andlt; 0.01). In 55 patients with mGFR 60 to 89 ml/min/1.73 m(2), mGFR did not change significantly in either group. Improvement in mGFR was limited to patients with a median time since TTx of less than 4.6 years and was also influenced by CM reduction during the study period. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanCONCLUSIONS: Everolimus introduction and reduced CNI significantly improved renal function amongst maintenance TTx patients with pre-existing advanced renal failure. This beneficial effect was limited to patients undergoing conversion in less than 5 years after TTx, indicating a window of opportunity that is appropriate for pharmacologic intervention with everolimus.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Arora, Satish, et al.
(author)
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Virtual Histology Assessment of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy Following Introduction of Everolimus—Results of a Multicenter Trial
- 2012
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In: American Journal of Transplantation. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1600-6135 .- 1600-6143. ; 12:10, s. 2700-2709
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this 12-month multicenter Scandinavian study, 78 maintenance heart transplant (HTx) recipients randomized to everolimus with reduced calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) exposure or continued standard CNI-therapy underwent matched virtual histology (VH) examination to evaluate morphological progression of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). Parallel measurement of a range of inflammatory markers was also performed. A similar rate of quantitative CAV progression was observed in the everolimus (n = 30) and standard CNI group (n = 48) (plaque index 1.9 +/- 3.8% and 1.6 +/- 3.9%, respectively; p = 0.65). However, VH analysis revealed a significant increase in calcified (2.4 +/- 4.0 vs. 0.3 +/- 3.1%; p = 0.02) and necrotic component (6.5 +/- 8.5 vs. 1.1 +/- 8.6%; p = 0.01) among everolimus patients compared to controls. The increase in necrotic and calcified components was most prominent in everolimus patients with time since HTx andgt;5.1 years and was accompanied by a significant increase in levels of von Willebrand (vWF) factor (p = 0.04) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) (p = 0.03). Conversion to everolimus and reduced CNI is associated with a significant increase in calcified and necrotic intimal components and is more prominent in patients with a longer time since HTx. A significant increase in vWF and VCAM accompanied these qualitative changes and the prognostic implication of these findings requires further investigation.
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| 7. |
- Bergh, Niklas, 1979, et al.
(author)
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Invasive haemodynamics in de novo everolimus vs. calcineurin inhibitor heart transplant recipients
- 2020
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In: ESC Heart Failure. - : Wiley. - 2055-5822. ; 7:2, s. 567-576
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims: Invasive haemodynamic profiles at rest and during exercise after heart transplantation (HTx) have never been described in a randomized trial where de novo everolimus (EVR)-based therapy with early calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) withdrawal has been compared with conventional CNI treatment. We report central invasive haemodynamic parameters at rest and exercise during a 3 year follow-up after HTx in a sub-study of the SCandiavian Heart transplant Everolimus De novo stUdy with earLy calcineurin inhibitor avoidancE trial. We hypothesized that the nephroprotective properties, the less development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), and the antifibrotic properties of EVR, in comparison with CNI-based immunosuppression, would demonstrate favourable invasive haemodynamic profiles in patients at rest and during exercise. Methods and results: Ninety of 115 HTx recipients randomized to EVR or CNI treatment performed right heart catheterization at rest and 68 performed right heart catheterization at exercise up to 3 years after HTx. Haemodynamic profiles were compared between EVR and CNI treatment groups. Resting haemodynamics improved in both groups from pre-HTx to the first follow-up at 7–11 weeks post-HTx and thereafter remained unchanged up to 3 years of follow-up. During follow-up, cardiac reserve during exercise increased with higher levels of maximum heart rate (118 to 148 b.p.m., P < 0.001), mean arterial pressure (103 to 128 mmHg, P < 0.001), and cardiac output (10.3 to 12.2 l/min, P < 0.001). No significant differences in haemodynamic parameters were observed between the EVR and CNI groups at rest or exercise. Isolated post-capillary pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary arterial pressure > 20 mmHg, pulmonary arterial wedge pressure ≥ 15 mmHg, and pulmonary vascular resistance <3) were measured in 11% of the patients at 7–11 weeks, 5% at 12 months, and 6% at 36 months after HTx. The EVR group had significantly better kidney function (76 mL/min/1 vs. 60 mL/min/1, P < 0.001) and reduced CAV (P < 0.01) but an increased rate of early biopsy-proven treated rejections (21.2% vs 5.7%, P < 0.01) compared with the CNI group at any time point. The differences in renal function, CAV, or early biopsy-proven treated acute rejections were not associated with altered haemodynamics. Conclusions: De novo EVR treatment with early CNI withdrawal compared with conventional CNI therapy did not result in differences in haemodynamics at rest or during exercise up to 3 years after HTx despite significant differences in renal function, reduced CAV, and number of early biopsy-proven treated rejections.
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| 8. |
- Gustafsson, Finn, et al.
(author)
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Everolimus Initiation With Early Calcineurin Inhibitor Withdrawal in De Novo Heart Transplant Recipients : Long-term Follow-up From the Randomized SCHEDULE Study
- 2020
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In: Transplantation. - : LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. - 1534-6080 .- 0041-1337. ; 104:1, s. 154-164
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: A calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-free immunosuppressive regimen has been demonstrated to improve renal function early after heart transplantation, but long-term outcome of such a strategy has not been well described. METHODS: In the randomized SCHEDULE trial, de novo heart transplant recipients received (1) everolimus with reduced-exposure CNI (cyclosporine) followed by CNI withdrawal at week 7-11 posttransplant or (2) standard-exposure cyclosporine, both with mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroids; 95/115 randomized patients were followed up at 5-7 years posttransplant. RESULTS: Mean measured glomerular filtration rate was 74.7 mL/min and 62.4 mL/min with everolimus and CNI, respectively. The mean difference was in favor of everolimus by 11.8 mL/min in the intent-to-treat population (P = 0.004) and 17.2 mL/min in the per protocol population (n = 75; P < 0.001). From transplantation to last follow-up, the incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) was 77% (37/48) and 66% (31/47) (P = 0.23) with treated BPAR in 50% and 23% (P < 0.01) in the everolimus and CNI groups, respectively; no episode led to hemodynamic compromise. Coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV) assessed by coronary intravascular ultrasound was present in 53% (19/36) and 74% (26/35) of everolimus- and CNI-treated patients, respectively (P = 0.037). Graft dimensions and function were similar between the groups. Late adverse events were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that de novo heart transplant patients randomized to everolimus and low-dose CNI followed by CNI-free therapy maintain significantly better long-term renal function as well as significantly reduced CAV than patients randomized to standard CNI treatment. Increased BPAR in the everolimus group during year 1 did not impair long-term graft function.
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| 9. |
- Lozano, Rafael, et al.
(author)
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Measuring progress from 1990 to 2017 and projecting attainment to 2030 of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals for 195 countries and territories: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
- 2018
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In: The Lancet. - : Elsevier. - 1474-547X .- 0140-6736. ; 392:10159, s. 2091-2138
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Efforts to establish the 2015 baseline and monitor early implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight both great potential for and threats to improving health by 2030. To fully deliver on the SDG aim of “leaving no one behind”, it is increasingly important to examine the health-related SDGs beyond national-level estimates. As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD 2017), we measured progress on 41 of 52 health-related SDG indicators and estimated the health-related SDG index for 195 countries and territories for the period 1990–2017, projected indicators to 2030, and analysed global attainment. Methods: We measured progress on 41 health-related SDG indicators from 1990 to 2017, an increase of four indicators since GBD 2016 (new indicators were health worker density, sexual violence by non-intimate partners, population census status, and prevalence of physical and sexual violence [reported separately]). We also improved the measurement of several previously reported indicators. We constructed national-level estimates and, for a subset of health-related SDGs, examined indicator-level differences by sex and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile. We also did subnational assessments of performance for selected countries. To construct the health-related SDG index, we transformed the value for each indicator on a scale of 0–100, with 0 as the 2·5th percentile and 100 as the 97·5th percentile of 1000 draws calculated from 1990 to 2030, and took the geometric mean of the scaled indicators by target. To generate projections through 2030, we used a forecasting framework that drew estimates from the broader GBD study and used weighted averages of indicator-specific and country-specific annualised rates of change from 1990 to 2017 to inform future estimates. We assessed attainment of indicators with defined targets in two ways: first, using mean values projected for 2030, and then using the probability of attainment in 2030 calculated from 1000 draws. We also did a global attainment analysis of the feasibility of attaining SDG targets on the basis of past trends. Using 2015 global averages of indicators with defined SDG targets, we calculated the global annualised rates of change required from 2015 to 2030 to meet these targets, and then identified in what percentiles the required global annualised rates of change fell in the distribution of country-level rates of change from 1990 to 2015. We took the mean of these global percentile values across indicators and applied the past rate of change at this mean global percentile to all health-related SDG indicators, irrespective of target definition, to estimate the equivalent 2030 global average value and percentage change from 2015 to 2030 for each indicator. Findings: The global median health-related SDG index in 2017 was 59·4 (IQR 35·4–67·3), ranging from a low of 11·6 (95% uncertainty interval 9·6–14·0) to a high of 84·9 (83·1–86·7). SDG index values in countries assessed at the subnational level varied substantially, particularly in China and India, although scores in Japan and the UK were more homogeneous. Indicators also varied by SDI quintile and sex, with males having worse outcomes than females for non-communicable disease (NCD) mortality, alcohol use, and smoking, among others. Most countries were projected to have a higher health-related SDG index in 2030 than in 2017, while country-level probabilities of attainment by 2030 varied widely by indicator. Under-5 mortality, neonatal mortality, maternal mortality ratio, and malaria indicators had the most countries with at least 95% probability of target attainment. Other indicators, including NCD mortality and suicide mortality, had no countries projected to meet corresponding SDG targets on the basis of projected mean values for 2030 but showed some probability of attainment by 2030. For some indicators, including child malnutrition, several infectious diseases, and most violence measures, the annualised rates of change required to meet SDG targets far exceeded the pace of progress achieved by any country in the recent past. We found that applying the mean global annualised rate of change to indicators without defined targets would equate to about 19% and 22% reductions in global smoking and alcohol consumption, respectively; a 47% decline in adolescent birth rates; and a more than 85% increase in health worker density per 1000 population by 2030. Interpretation: The GBD study offers a unique, robust platform for monitoring the health-related SDGs across demographic and geographic dimensions. Our findings underscore the importance of increased collection and analysis of disaggregated data and highlight where more deliberate design or targeting of interventions could accelerate progress in attaining the SDGs. Current projections show that many health-related SDG indicators, NCDs, NCD-related risks, and violence-related indicators will require a concerted shift away from what might have driven past gains—curative interventions in the case of NCDs—towards multisectoral, prevention-oriented policy action and investments to achieve SDG aims. Notably, several targets, if they are to be met by 2030, demand a pace of progress that no country has achieved in the recent past. The future is fundamentally uncertain, and no model can fully predict what breakthroughs or events might alter the course of the SDGs. What is clear is that our actions—or inaction—today will ultimately dictate how close the world, collectively, can get to leaving no one behind by 2030.
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| 10. |
- Nelson, Lærke Marie, et al.
(author)
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Mild acute cellular rejection and development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy assessed by intravascular ultrasound and coronary angiography in heart transplant recipients—a SCHEDULE trial substudy
- 2020
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In: Transplant International. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 0934-0874 .- 1432-2277. ; 33:5, s. 517-528
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To evaluate the association between mild acute cellular rejection (ACR) and the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) after heart transplantation (HTx). Substudy of the SCHEDULE trial (n = 115), where de novo HTx recipients were randomized to (i) everolimus with early CNI elimination or (ii) CNI-based immunosuppression. Seventy-six patients (66%) were included based on matched intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examinations at baseline and year 3 post-HTx. Biopsy-proven ACR within year 1 post-HTx was recorded and graded (1R, 2R, 3R). Development of CAV was assessed by IVUS and coronary angiography at year 3 post-HTx. Median age was 53 years (45–61), and 71% were male. ACR was recorded in 67%, and patients were grouped by rejection profile: no ACR (33%), only 1R (42%), and ≥2R (25%). Median ∆MIT (maximal intimal thickness)BL-3Y was not significantly different between groups (P = 0.84). The incidence of CAV was 49% by IVUS and 26% by coronary angiography with no significant differences between groups. No correlation was found between number of 1R and ∆MITBL-3Y (r = −0.025, P = 0.83). The number of 1R was not a significant predictor of ∆MITBL-3Y (P = 0.58), and no significant interaction with treatment was found (P = 0.98). The burden of mild ACR was not associated with CAV development.
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