Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2025
An Intact Pericardium Ischemic Rodent Model
Published on: September 2, 2021
A fluid relationship: Calcineurin inhibitors and pericardial effusions
Mark Lee Westbroek1, Mahvish Qureshi Rahim1,2,3, Michael Marshall Ross1,4
1Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Insights
Continuing calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) therapy for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis during pericardial effusion (PEF) management in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients did not worsen PEF. No GVHD flares occurred in patients managed with continued CNI therapy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Transplantation Immunology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a vital pediatric treatment.
- Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis involves calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs).
- Pericardial effusion (PEF) is a complication of HSCT and CNI use, often managed by CNI discontinuation.
Background:
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a common and effective treatment for multiple malignant and non-malignant pediatric conditions. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a common complication of HSCT that can be prevented with prophylactic use of calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) immunosuppressants. A complication of HSCT and CNI use is pericardial effusion (PEF), which is frequently treated by CNI discontinuation with or without surgical intervention. No studies to date have evaluated the management of PEF without CNI discontinuation as a means of preventing GVHD flares.
Methods:
In this single-center retrospective study, we reviewed the management of PEF in pediatric patients post-HSCT who received conservative or surgical intervention with or without CNI discontinuation between May 2012 and June 2022.
Results:
Of the patients found to have PEF, all were given tacrolimus for GVHD prophylaxis. Management of PEF included surgical intervention for 83% of patients, and CNI was not discontinued for 83%. None of the patients developed GVHD during the management of PEF.
Conclusions:
Our results demonstrate that continuation of CNI therapy for GVHD prophylaxis did not negatively impact the disease course of PEF in post-HSCT patients.
More Related Videos
05:47Isolation of Mouse Interstitial Valve Cells to Study the Calcification of the Aortic Valve In Vitro
Published on: May 10, 2021
04:30Investigating Aortic Valve Calcification via Isolation and Culture of T Lymphocytes using Feeder Cells from Irradiated Buffy Coat
Published on: February 4, 2021
Related Concept Videos
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
01:25Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
01:22Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents
01:24Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF