We interpret these data as a possible indication of ablation of cardiac mechanoreceptor afferents and unopposed neuroendocrine stimulation in heart transplant recipients. Furthermore, chronic neuroendocrine hyperactivity is likely in ambulatory heart transplant recipients. Although cyclosporine nephrotoxicity is implicated in the development of hypertension, our data suggest that chronic neuroendocrine hyperactivity, which alters renal volume regulation, also contributes to the incidence and severity of hypertension in heart transplant recipients.

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Nanowarming of cryopreserved organs perfused with magnetic cryopreservation agents (mCPAs) could increase donor organ utilization by extending preservation time and avoiding damage caused by slow and nonuniform rewarming. Here, we report formulation of an mCPA containing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) that are stable against aggregation in the cryopreservation agent VS55 before and after vitrification and nanowarming and that achieve high-temperature rise rates of up to 321°C/min under an alternating magnetic field. These SPIONs and mCPAs have low cytotoxicity against primary cardiomyocytes. We demonstrate successful perfusion of whole rat hearts with the mCPA and removal using Custodiol HTK solution, even after vitrification, cryostorage in liquid nitrogen for 1 week, and nanowarming under an alternating magnetic field. Quantification of SPIONs in the hearts using magnetic particle imaging demonstrates that the formulated mCPAs are suitable for perfusion, vitrification, and nanowarming of whole organs with minimal residual iron in tissues.

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Acute rejection rates and overall survival at 6 months are similar in lung transplant recipients treated with either MMF- or AZA-based immunosuppression.

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Class II, and perhaps class I HLA antibodies at relatively low concentrations represent a risk factor for severe early pulmonary graft dysfunction, with the potential to progress to hyperacute rejection and death.