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Clinical Course after Liver Transplantation in Patients with Sarcoidosis
- F. Adrian Casavilla, MD;
- Robert Gordon, MD;
- Harlan I. Wright, MD;
- Judith S. Gavaler, PhD;
- Thomas E. Starzl, MD; and
- David H. Van Thiel, MD
- From the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Requests for Reprints: F. Adrian Casavilla, MD, Transplantation Institute, Falk 5C, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
Abstract
The effects of liver transplantation and the obligate use of cyclosporine on the subsequent clinical course of nine patients with sarcoidosis were examined. Two comparison groups, each consisting of 18 patients without sarcoidosis, were also studied. The liver allograft recipients received either cyclosporine or FK 506 as their primary immunosuppressive agent. Patient and graft survival were assessed for all three groups. In patients with sarcoidosis before transplantation, evidence for continued disease activity after transplantation was also assessed. Patient and allograft survival were excellent. No clinical evidence of continued disease activity was noted. Thus, the presence of sarcoidosis is not a contraindication for liver transplantation in otherwise appropriate candidates for the procedure.
- Copyright 2004 by the American College of Physicians
