Small single-institutional studies performed prior to the introduction of organ allocation using the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) suggest that early airway extubation of liver transplant recipients is a safe practice. We designed a multicenter study to examine adverse events associated w
Safety and effectiveness of ezetimibe in liver transplant recipients with hypercholesterolemia
โ Scribed by Fawaz Almutairi; Theresa C. Peterson; Michele Molinari; Mark J. Walsh; Ian Alwayn; Kevork M. Peltekian
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2009
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 118 KB
- Volume
- 15
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1527-6465
- DOI
- 10.1002/lt.21710
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
โฆ Synopsis
Hypercholesterolemia is a common problem among transplant recipients. Despite package-insert warnings about the potential side effects of the use of statins in patients with chronic liver disease, they are often prescribed for liver transplant recipients. Unlike statins, ezetimibe acts through inhibition of enterohepatic recirculation of lipids. We report the effectiveness and safety of ezetimibe among liver transplant recipients because this has been evaluated previously only in kidney and heart transplant patients. A consecutive cohort of 25 liver graft recipients with serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels ฯพ 100 mg/dL (2.5 mmol/L) after a mean (ฯฎstandard deviation) of 55 ฯฎ 21 months following liver transplantation received ezetimibe (10 mg orally every day) for at least 6 months. Serum lipid profiles, liver and renal function tests, and dosages and blood levels of the immunosuppression drugs at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months were prospectively collected. The overall mean age was 58 ฯฎ 12 years, and 56% were males. Statin therapy and fibrates were already being used in 32% and 20% of recipients for elevated LDL and/or triglycerides, respectively. The immunosuppression regimen included cyclosporine in 48% of subjects, tacrolimus in 32%, sirolimus in 48%, and mycophenolate mofetil in 44%; only 12% were on oral prednisone with a maximum daily dose of 5 mg. After ezetimibe was started, an 18% reduction in LDL values was observed [at baseline, 147 ฯฎ 35 mg/dL (3.8 ฯฎ 0.9 mmol/L), and at 6 months, 120 ฯฎ 31 mg/dL (3.1 ฯฎ 0.8 mmol/L); P ฯญ 0.010]. After 6 months, an additional 32% achieved the target LDL level of ฯฝ100 mg/dL. None of the remaining variables, including immunosuppression drug levels, varied significantly during ezetimibe therapy. None of the subjects required adjustments in their pharmacological dosages. One discontinued ezetimibe 3 months later because of cost, 2 subjects had minimal nausea, 1 subject had myalgias without a rise in creatine phosphokinase, and 1 subject had a transient elevation (3-5 times) in liver enzymes from baseline with increases in the total and indirect bilirubin levels. In conclusion, among liver transplant recipients, hypercholesterolemia can be effectively treated with ezetimibe with few side effects and no interaction with immunosuppressive regimens.
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