Osteoporosis: The dynamic relationship between magnesium and bone mineral density in the heart transplant patient.

Osteoporosis is a common, and potentially severe, complication seen in the heart transplant recipient. Frequently there is loss of bone mineral density prior to transplant that begins the downward spiral to fractures of the femoral neck and vertebrae. Multiple factors are responsible for the development of osteoporosis posttransplant.

Depression and anxiety in the heart transplant patient: a case study.

Depression and anxiety are potential psychological problems that a heart transplant patient may face both before and after transplant. In addition, there is the potential for difficulty in adjusting to life after transplantation. Anxiety and depression and their effects, both pretransplant and posttransplant, are explored.

A case study in Hansen's disease acquired after heart transplant.

Hansen's disease, leprosy, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the acid-fast bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. There are multiple forms of the disease ranging from the relatively benign to the progressive, malignant lepromatous leprosy. There is effective antimicrobial treatment available that is capable of curing the disease.

The management of immunosuppression: the art and the science.

The optimal use of immunosuppressant drugs requires an understanding of their mechanism of action as well as a basic understanding of the biology of transplant rejection and tolerance. The ability to tailor a drug regimen that strikes a fine balance between allograft maintenance and patient well-being demands a sensitivity to the patient's needs and expectations as well. The object of this article is to cover the basic biological principles involved in selecting an immunosuppressant protocol while sharing our experiences with these various regimen.