Use of induction therapy in pediatric heart transplant recipients in Switzerland - Analysis of the Swiss national database.

Abstract Background Data on individualized immunosuppressive protocols for the pediatric heart recipients are missing in Europe. To contribute to this very small but specialized field, we describe the use of induction therapy (IT) in pediatric heart transplant patients in Switzerland and the retrospective outcomes. Method This is a retrospective national database analysis of children Results All 32 patients (12♂, 20♀), median age at HT of 6.4 years (24 days - 18 years) received IT using either polyclonal antibodies (ATG; 72%) or interleukin-2 receptor antagonist (anti-IL-2R mAb; 28%). Length of treatment was median of 4 (1–63) days. At time of HT all patients received steroids, while at discharge 32% and one year after HT 19%. Kaplan-Meier analysis of survival revealed a one-year survival of 86%. Three out of 7 patients with elevated cPRA (43%) died. Median time to first treated rejection was 19.4 months (±60.5 SD) without significant difference if treated with anti-IL-2R mAb or ATG (p:0.5). No development of PTLD, chronic renal failure needing ongoing renal replacement therapy or diabetes mellitus were recorded. Discussion This is the first report of the national practice use of IT within Switzerland. It reveals a high use of IT, no development of PTLD and a low use of steroids at one-year post HT.