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Lovastatin therapy for hypercholesterolemia in cardiac transplant recipients.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Kuo, PC; Kirshenbaum, JM; Gordon, J; Laffel, G; Young, P; DiSesa, VJ; Mudge, GH; Vaughan, DE
Published in: Am J Cardiol
September 15, 1989

Hypercholesterolemia (type II hyperlipidemia) after cardiac transplantation is common and may play a role in the accelerated rate of coronary atherosclerosis seen following the procedure. However, conventional cholesterol-lowering drugs are either ineffective or contraindicated for use in transplant recipients. The presence of type II hyperlipidemia was identified in 11 cardiac transplant recipients during a mean follow-up period of 15 months (range 3 to 41) after transplantation. Lovastatin, at an initial dosage of 20 mg/day, was administered for a period of 1 year. The maximal dosage of lovastatin was 60 mg/day. All patients received maintenance dosages of immunosuppressive agents, including cyclosporine-A, prednisone and, in some instances, azathioprine. Lipid profiles, hepatic transaminases, serum creatinine, creatine kinase and cyclosporine-A serum trough levels were measured quarterly. Total cholesterol decreased by 27% (354 +/- 50 vs 258 +/- 36 mg/dl, p less than 0.01) after 3 months and remained stable thereafter. Similarly, low density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased by 34% (221 +/- 51 vs 146 +/- 40 mg/dl, p less than 0.01) after 3 months and remained constant. Triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, hepatic transaminases, creatinine, creatine kinase and trough cyclosporine-A levels remained stable during the 1-year follow-up period. Lovastatin was uniformly well tolerated in this study group. When given in modest dosages, lovastatin appears to be a safe, effective and well-tolerated therapy for hypercholesterolemia in cardiac transplant recipients.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Am J Cardiol

DOI

ISSN

0002-9149

Publication Date

September 15, 1989

Volume

64

Issue

10

Start / End Page

631 / 635

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Time Factors
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Lovastatin
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Humans
  • Heart Transplantation
  • Follow-Up Studies
 

Citation

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Kuo, P. C., Kirshenbaum, J. M., Gordon, J., Laffel, G., Young, P., DiSesa, V. J., … Vaughan, D. E. (1989). Lovastatin therapy for hypercholesterolemia in cardiac transplant recipients. Am J Cardiol, 64(10), 631–635. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9149(89)90492-x
Kuo, P. C., J. M. Kirshenbaum, J. Gordon, G. Laffel, P. Young, V. J. DiSesa, G. H. Mudge, and D. E. Vaughan. “Lovastatin therapy for hypercholesterolemia in cardiac transplant recipients.Am J Cardiol 64, no. 10 (September 15, 1989): 631–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9149(89)90492-x.
Kuo PC, Kirshenbaum JM, Gordon J, Laffel G, Young P, DiSesa VJ, et al. Lovastatin therapy for hypercholesterolemia in cardiac transplant recipients. Am J Cardiol. 1989 Sep 15;64(10):631–5.
Kuo, P. C., et al. “Lovastatin therapy for hypercholesterolemia in cardiac transplant recipients.Am J Cardiol, vol. 64, no. 10, Sept. 1989, pp. 631–35. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/0002-9149(89)90492-x.
Kuo PC, Kirshenbaum JM, Gordon J, Laffel G, Young P, DiSesa VJ, Mudge GH, Vaughan DE. Lovastatin therapy for hypercholesterolemia in cardiac transplant recipients. Am J Cardiol. 1989 Sep 15;64(10):631–635.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Cardiol

DOI

ISSN

0002-9149

Publication Date

September 15, 1989

Volume

64

Issue

10

Start / End Page

631 / 635

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Time Factors
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Lovastatin
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Humans
  • Heart Transplantation
  • Follow-Up Studies