A clinical trial of FK 506 as primary and rescue immunosuppression in cardiac transplantation.

Abstract

In concert with the adult trial of FK 506 begun in October 1989 at Presbyterian University Hospital, a similar trial to investigate the use of FK 506 as both primary and rescue immunotherapy was initiated in the pediatric population at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. In a prospective clinical trial 19 pediatric patients have undergone orthotopic cardiac transplantation with FK 506 and low-dose steroids as primary immunosuppression. Encouraging results have also been obtained in four children with refractory cardiac rejection who have undergone rescue therapy with FK 506.