*Purpose: Sensitization or the detection of circulating antibodies in heart transplant candidates appears to be increasing due to the growing use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices. Many of these patients are treated with desensitization therapies to increase the donor pool and to increase the probability of receiving a donor heart. The post-heart transplant risk of infections from pre-transplant desensitization therapy has not been established.

*Methods: Between 2007 and 2013, we assessed 34 heart transplant patients who were highly-sensitized and received pre-transplant desensitization therapy. Pre-transplant desensitization strategies included IVIG/rituximab (n=11), bortezomib/plasmapheresis (n=12), or a combination of these therapies (n=11). 5-year freedom from post-transplant infection requiring IV antibiotics was recorded.

*Results: There was no significant difference in 5-year freedom from post-transplant infection among the study groups (see table).

*Conclusions: Pre-heart transplant desensitization therapy does not appear to cause higher post-transplant infectious complications. Furthermore, the specific pre-transplant desensitization treatment had similar post-transplant infection risk.

« Back to 2019 American Transplant Congress