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Biomedical subjects

H T Bahnson

Publications and source records attributed to H T Bahnson.

108 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
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Management of cyclosporine toxicity by reduced dosage and azathioprine.

While cyclosporine immunosuppression has improved the results of heart transplantation, nephrotoxicity and hypertension occurred in a large percentage of surviving patients. The potential irreversibility of these toxicities was noted in patients chronically exposed to cyclosporine. The immunosuppressive protocol was modified in those patients with a serum creatinine greater than 2.5 mg/100 mL. Azathioprine was added to the immunosuppressive regimen, and the dose of cyclosporine was steadily decreased until the creatinine was lowered. The combination of low-dose cyclosporine and azathioprine provided effective immunosuppression and was associated with a significant decrease in serum creatinine level, in systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Although it is premature to assess the long-term results of this immunosuppressive protocol, the early results are encouraging.

Azathioprine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Five years of heart transplantation in Pittsburgh.

Looking over the five years of HTx experience in Pittsburgh we conclude that a reasonable success has been achieved and that the promise of Cy superiority has been realized. Although certain naivete about the likely panacea property of Cy occurred early, major adjustments in the original immunosuppressive protocol were required and included the use of rescue ATG, the measurement of Cy levels in the blood, the use of less Cy, and the perioperative avoidance of Cy. We anticipate a continued 80% one year survival with a likely survival in excess of 66% at five years. Furthermore, it is believed that the avoidance of early nephrotoxicity combined with the use of less Cy chronically will result in far fewer problems with nephrotoxicity. While we have been conservative with our immunosuppression, we have aggressively broadened the criteria for candidacy to include patients mortally ill, patients with elevated pulmonary vascular resistances, and those in their sixth decade. We believe that challenges for the future will include the development of selective immunosuppressants and coordinated networks for donor procurement so that more patients will have the opportunity for cardiac replacement.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Blalock shunt: procedure of choice in infants.

This report summarizes our experience in 39 infants less than three months of age who underwent a Blalock anastomosis. Mortality in the 16 infants under one week of age was 25% (4/16) and the overall mortality was 26% (10/39). Early patency was 87% (34/39) and late, 83% (24/29). No patient developed congestive heart failure or pulmonary hypertension. For the infant with diminished pulmonary blood flow, the Blalock shunt is the procedure of choice.

Follow-Up Studies↗