Diseases
cardiac transplant rejection
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Overview
Heart transplant rejection occurs when the recipient immune system reacts to the foreign antigens in the donor organ by mounting an immune response. Patients will present with signs and symptoms of heart failure such as shortness of breath, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, palpitations, syncope, etc.
Symptoms
- flu-like symptoms, such as: belly (abdominal) pain. body aches.
- fatigue. low fever. nausea or loss of appetite.
- other possible heart transplant rejection symptoms include: dizziness
- or fainting. heart palpitations
- less pee (urine) than usual (oliguria).
Causes
- heart transplant rejection happens when your immune system recognizes a donor heart as a foreign object. it sends t cells or antibodies to attack the invader.
Risk factors
- certain medical conditions in the heart recipient, such as high cholesterol
- heart disease in the heart donor.
- injury to the donor heart during any step in the process.
Diagnosis
- echocardiogram (echo).
- electrocardiogram (ecg or ekg).
- blood tests that check for dna markers associated with rejection.
- nuclear cardiac stress test.
Medicines used
Frequently asked questions
What is cardiac transplant rejection?
Heart transplant rejection occurs when the recipient immune system reacts to the foreign antigens in the donor organ by mounting an immune response. Patients will present with signs and symptoms of heart failure such as shortness of breath, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, palpitations, syncope, etc.
What are the symptoms of cardiac transplant rejection?
flu-like symptoms, such as: belly (abdominal) pain. body aches., fatigue. low fever. nausea or loss of appetite., other possible heart transplant rejection symptoms include: dizziness, or fainting. heart palpitations, less pee (urine) than usual (oliguria).
What causes cardiac transplant rejection?
heart transplant rejection happens when your immune system recognizes a donor heart as a foreign object. it sends t cells or antibodies to attack the invader.
Which medicines are used for cardiac transplant rejection?
basiliximab
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