Long-Term Impact of Different Immunosuppressive Drugs on QT and PR Intervals in Renal Transplant Patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Sudden cardiac deaths due to arrhythmias are thought to be an important cause of mortality in patients with renal transplants. Exposure to immunosuppressive drugs may lead to QT or PR interval abnormalities which may consequently cause arrhythmias. Our study investigated the long term impact of four different immunosuppressive drugs on PR and corrected QT intervals (QTc) in renal transplant patients

METHODS:

The study population consisted of 98 kidney transplant recipients. Study patients were receiving immunosuppressive management with tacrolimus, cyclosporine A, everolimus or azathioprine according to the local protocols. QTc and PR intervals obtained from the most recent post-transplant electrocardiograms were compared with the pre-transplant intervals dated before the transplantation procedure.

RESULTS:

Post-transplant QTc intervals had prolonged significantly in comparison to the pre-transplant QTc intervals in all groups. However, there were no significant differences between the immunosuppressive agents with regard to post-transplant QTc interval prolongation (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to the pre and post-transplant PR interval changes (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

QT interval prolongation, a marker of risk for arrhythmias and sudden death, is highly prevalent among kidney transplant patients receiving different classes of immunosuppressive drugs.

• Authors: Baris Ikitimur, Kahraman Cosansu, Bilgehan Karadag, Huseyin Altug Cakmak, Burcak Kilickiran Avci, Emre Erturk, Nurhan Seyahi, Zeki Ongen
• Journal: Annals of noninvasive electrocardiology : the official journal of the International Society for Holter and Noninvasive Electrocardiology, Inc (Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol) Vol. 20 Issue 5 Pg. 426-32 (Sep 2015) ISSN: 1542-474X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25367596 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical References

• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Cyclosporine
• Everolimus
• Azathioprine
• Tacrolimus

Topics

• Adult
• Arrhythmias, Cardiac (chemically induced, diagnosis)
• Azathioprine (adverse effects)
• Cyclosporine (adverse effects)
• Death, Sudden, Cardiac
• Disease Progression
• Electrocardiography
• Everolimus (adverse effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (adverse effects)
• Kidney Failure, Chronic (surgery)
• Kidney Transplantation
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Tacrolimus (adverse effects)