Periarticular calcification in immunosuppressed cardiac transplant patients

A retrospective study was performed to determine whether the likelihood of developing periarticular calcification in the hands is increased significantly in cardiac transplant patients. Two groups of patients were identified: those whose transplant occurred before the routine use of Cyclosporine as an immunosuppressive agent and those who received Cyclosporine at the time of transplantation. Seven of nine patients in the former group demonstrated periarticular calcification at multiple sites in the hands, but no patient in the post-Cyclosporine group had calcification at more than one site. Cardiac transplant patients on high dose systemic steroids for an extended period of time are likely to develop periarticular calcification. This appears to be related to steroid dose and duration of treatment and also may be influenced by other immunosuppressive agents.