ABSTRACT

Background: Immunosuppressive therapy for heart transplantation has been evolved. However, the immunosuppressive drugs may produce serious adverse effects as pneumonitis with the use of sirolimus. Case reports: Two male heart transplant recipients age 40 and 58 years-old, were accepted in our service with fever, rash and pneumonitis. The diagnosis of pneumonitis associated to the use of sirolimus was made via exclusion of other etiological possibilities, and the drug was retired of the immunosuppressive therapy. The patients, immediately improves their clinical condition. Conclusion: It was concluded that sirolimus related pneumonitis is a serious complication, and this condition must be suspected in transplant recipients, and diagnosis could be made with the exclusion of other etiological causes. When the sirolimus administration is suspended, the patient immediately improves clinically.

KEYWORDS

Sirolimus, heart transplantation, pneumonitis, immunosuppressive therapy.

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