Surveillance with dual noninvasive testing for acute cellular rejection after heart transplantation: Outcomes from the Surveillance HeartCare Outcomes Registry.

Background: Molecular testing with gene-expression profiling (GEP) and donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is increasingly used in the surveillance for acute cellular rejection (ACR) after heart transplant. However, the performance of dual testing over each test individually has not been established. Further, the impact of dual noninvasive surveillance on clinical decision-making has not been widely investigated.

Variants in mycophenolate and CMV antiviral drug pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic genes and leukopenia in heart transplant recipients.

Background: The objective was to assess the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms in mycophenolate and cytomegalovirus antiviral drug pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic genes and drug-induced leukopenia in adult heart transplant recipients.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included n = 148 patients receiving mycophenolate and a cytomegalovirus antiviral drug. In total, 81 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 21 pharmacokinetic and 23 pharmacodynamic genes were selected for investigation.

Association Between Variants in Calcineurin Inhibitor Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Genes and Renal Dysfunction in Adult Heart Transplant Recipients.

: The goal of the study was to assess the relationship between single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic genes and renal dysfunction in adult heart transplant (HTx) recipients. : This retrospective analysis included = 192 patients receiving a CNI at 1-year post-HTx. Using a candidate gene approach, 93 SNVs in eight pharmacokinetic and 35 pharmacodynamic genes were chosen for investigation.

Bariatric Surgery Is Associated With Decreased Calcineurin Inhibitor Time in Therapeutic Range After Heart Transplantation.

Bariatric surgery (BSg) is an effective treatment for morbid obesity, but little is known about the outcomes of BSg patients who undergo orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). The aim of this study was to determine if BSg alters calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) level variability after OHT. Data were collected from 58 consecutive patients who underwent OHT at a single center from 1/2018 to 4/2019: 4 with BSg prior to OHT (BSg + OHT) and 54 without prior BSg (OHT).

Relationship between nocturnal blood pressure patterns and end organ damage and diastolic dysfunction in heart transplant recipients.

Background: We assessed the relationship between circadian blood pressure (BP) patterns and clinical outcomes in a contemporary cohort of adult heart transplant recipients.

Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study included adult heart transplant recipients at least 6 months post-transplant. Ambulatory BP measurements were recorded over 24 hours.

Influence of Genetic Variants on Steady-State Etonogestrel Concentrations Among Contraceptive Implant Users.

Objective: To identify genetic variants that influence steady-state etonogestrel concentrations among contraceptive implant users.

Methods: We enrolled healthy, reproductive-age women in our pharmacogenomic study using etonogestrel implants for 12-36 months without concomitant use of hepatic enzyme inducers or inhibitors. We collected participant characteristics, measured serum etonogestrel concentrations, and genotyped each participant for 120 single nucleotide variants in 14 genes encoding proteins involved in steroid hormone (ie, estrogens, progestins) metabolism, regulation, or function.

Non-interventional cardiologists' perspectives on the role of pharmacogenomic testing in cardiovascular medicine.

Aim: To evaluate factors influencing cardiologists' perspectives about pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing in clinical practice.

Patients & Methods: Semistructured interviews with practicing cardiologists were qualitatively analyzed to identify common themes.

Results: Five themes were identified among 16 cardiologists from four specialties (n = 5 general cardiology, n = 3 electrophysiology, n = 2 adult congenital and n = 6 heart failure/transplant): cardiologists' knowledge and needs, perceived clinical validity and utility of PGx testing, dissemination and management of PGx results, patient-related considerations and incidental findings.

Anxiolytic effects of fluoxetine and nicotine exposure on exploratory behavior in zebrafish.

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have emerged as a popular model for studying the pharmacology and behavior of anxiety. While there have been numerous studies documenting the anxiolytic and anxiogenic effects of common drugs in zebrafish, many do not report or test for behavioral differences between the sexes. Previous studies have indicated that males and females differ in their baseline level of anxiety.