Conversion to tacrolimus alone compared to full immunosuppression following cardiac transplantation (TACTFUL)

Cardiac transplantation requires lifelong immunosuppressant medications to prevent rejection. However, some patients may not tolerate multiple immunosuppressants due to adverse effects. At our institution, patients may be converted to monotherapy with tacrolimus if unable to tolerate a combination regimen. This study evaluated the outcomes among patients converted to tacrolimus monotherapy compared with those maintained on combination immunosuppression.

This single-center, retrospective cohort study included patients who received heart transplants at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital between January 2015 and July 2021. Patients were classified as receiving tacrolimus monotherapy (Mono) or combination immunosuppression (Combo). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality with key secondary outcomes including incidence of 2R/3R rejection, necessity for renal replacement therapy, and infection.

112 patients were included (Mono = 25, Combo = 87). Median age at transplant was 53.8 years (Mono) and 52.1 years (Combo). The most common reasons for conversion to monotherapy were leukopenia, infection, and gastrointestinal (GI) distress. There was no difference in mortality (0 in Mono, 11 in Combo; p = .09) or percentage of patients with 2R/3R rejection (24% in Mono, 32.2% in Combo; p = .43). No Mono group patients experienced rejection after converting from combination therapy. 24% of Mono group patients resumed at least one additional immunosuppressive medication during the study period. Median time to monotherapy was 9.0 months, with a total median duration on monotherapy of 16.0 months. A median of 3.3 years of follow-up was observed for patients in Mono and 3.4 years in Combo (p = .29).

Selected patients who do not tolerate combination immunosuppression can be safely transitioned to tacrolimus monotherapy as a means of controlling adverse events without an increased risk of mortality or rejection.