Prevention of Rejection in Cardiac Transplantation by Blockade of the Interleukin-2 Receptor with a Monoclonal Antibody

Acute rejection episodes adversely affect short-term survival in recipients of cardiac transplants. 1 Rejection occurs most frequently during the first three months after transplantation, with the incidence decreasing exponentially thereafter. 2 Repeated or severe episodes of allograft rejection may lead to the development of cardiac-allograft vasculopathy, the main cause of death after the first year in transplant recipients. 3 – 6 Accordingly, therapeutic strategies, such as the use of induction therapy with monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies in the perioperative period, have been advocated to decrease the frequency and severity of early allograft rejection. 7 The success of these nonselective agents has varied. 7 Allograft rejection is . . .