BackgroundFollowing heart transplantation (HT), HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have been shown to reduce total and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), and mortality. Studies in HT patients have demonstrated the safety of low/moderate intensity statins; however, little data exist using high‐intensity (HI) statins. The study aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HI statins in HT recipients receiving tacrolimus.MethodsThis single‐center, retrospective analysis included adult HT recipients from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2015, who received HI statin therapy during posttransplant follow‐up. The primary outcome, tolerability, was defined as the absence of myalgias, hepatotoxicity, rhabdomyolysis, or HI statin dose reduction/discontinuation. The secondary end point was the mean reduction in total and LDL cholesterol.ResultsAmong the 24 patients included, one experienced myalgias and therapy discontinuation (4%; P > 0.99). No other HI statin dose reduction/discontinuation occurred, and no instances of rhabdomyolysis or hepatotoxicity were observed. The average reduction in total and LDL cholesterol after conversion to HI statin was 35 mg/dL (P = 0.02) and 19 mg/dL (P = 0.10), respectively.ConclusionsHigh‐intensity statin therapy appears safe and efficacious in HT recipients receiving tacrolimus and is a reasonable option for the treatment of refractory hyperlipidemia.

This article summarizes available literature regarding the utilization of probiotic and synbiotics in liver transplant (LTX) recipients, reviewing efficacy in both decreasing infectious complications and immunomodulation, as well as exploring safety concerns. Data suggest that the use of probiotics containing Lactobacillus spp, either alone or in combination with prebiotics (referred to as synbiotics), may be effective in reducing infectious complications after LTX, a major contributor to graft loss, hospital length of stay, and mortality. Literature evaluating the use of probiotics to induce tolerance, reduce rejection, and prevent damage associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury is limited to animal models but compelling, as it suggests the use of probiotics may augment deleterious immune-mediated processes in this population. While the benefits of probiotics should be weighed against potential risks, these concerns are largely theoretical in the LTX recipient, with the majority of evidence extrapolated from case reports in other immunosuppressed populations. Based on available literature, it may be prudent to avoid products containing Saccharomyces sp, as these were not used in the efficacy studies, and the majority of the adverse event reporting stems from the use of products containing this organism. Further evaluation of the safety and efficacy of probiotic therapy is warranted. Studies specifically designed to elucidate the optimal product and initiation scenario and delineate safety in this population are needed to allow expanded use of this inexpensive, relatively nontoxic, and potentially beneficial therapeutic option after LTX.

OBJECTIVE Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and caregivers are impacted by the number of pharmacological agents and unique administration needs; however, no data currently assesses how medication regimen complexity impacts clinical outcomes in this population. The objective of this study is to evaluate if an association exists between increased medication regimen complexity and clinical endpoints in pediatric patients with CF. METHODS This retrospective analysis included all pediatric patients with CF (ages 5–20 years) with at least 2 pharmacist encounters and acceptable pulmonary function tests at our pediatric pulmonary clinic during 2017. Each patient's medication regimen was scored using the validated Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) tool. The primary outcome was the correlation between MRCI score and lung function. Secondary endpoints included growth, number of infections requiring antibiotics, and hospitalizations. RESULTS MRCI scores of the 113 included patients ranged from 2 to 101 points. A negative correlation was found between initial and final MRCI score and initial and final forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1; r = −0.323, p = 0.0005 and r = −0.287, p = 0.0021, respectively). MRCI scores were negatively correlated with BMI percentile for both encounters (r = −0.162 and r = −0.125) but were not significant. Higher MRCI scores were associated with increased use of oral and intravenous antibiotics and hospital admissions. CONCLUSIONS Higher MRCI scores are correlated with a significant decrease in FEV1, increased need for antibiotic therapy, and more hospital admissions in pediatric patients with CF. Larger studies are needed to determine if a correlation exists between MRCI score and growth.

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