The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
-
J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Oct 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialInfluence of felodipine on left ventricular hypertrophy and systolic function in orthotopic heart transplant recipients: possible interaction with cyclosporine medication.
Concentric left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy develops early in orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) recipients. To compare the effects of a calcium channel blocker, felodipine, versus diuretics on LV hypertrophy and LV systolic function repeated magnetic resonance imaging studies were performed in OHT recipients. Cyclosporine levels and neurohormones were also measured to explore potential interactions with treatment. ⋯ In OHT recipients during diuretic treatment, progression of LV hypertrophy occurs in relation to cyclosporine plasma levels and is accompanied by impairment of systolic contractile function. Felodipine induces regression of LV hypertrophy, while systolic contractile function is preserved. During felodipine treatment, regression of LV hypertrophy is unrelated to cyclosporine levels. Thus, felodipine seems to attenuate the hypertrophic effect of cyclosporine on transplanted hearts.