Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40615180›Full record

ArticleJACC. Case reports2025

Tacrolimus-Induced Thrombotic Microangiopathy in Orthotopic Heart Transplant Patients: A Case Series and Review of Literature.

Faysal Massad, Tess Calcagno, Rochell Issa, Kristen Tomaszewski, Jennifer Reese, Randall C Starling, Andres Carmona Rubio, Arianne Agdamag

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in JACC. Case reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Faysal MassadDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Kaufman Center for Heart Failure Treatment and Recovery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Tess CalcagnoDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Kaufman Center for Heart Failure Treatment and Recovery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Rochell IssaDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Kaufman Center for Heart Failure Treatment and Recovery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; MetroHealth System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Kristen TomaszewskiDepartment of Anatomic Pathology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Jennifer ReeseDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Kaufman Center for Heart Failure Treatment and Recovery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Randall C StarlingDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Kaufman Center for Heart Failure Treatment and Recovery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Andres Carmona RubioDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Kaufman Center for Heart Failure Treatment and Recovery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Arianne AgdamagDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Kaufman Center for Heart Failure Treatment and Recovery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Electronic address: arianne.agdamag@gmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and organ damage from microvascular injury. Tacrolimus-induced TMA, although rare in heart transplant recipients, presents diagnostic and management challenges. CASE SUMMARY: We present 3 cases of postorthotopic heart transplant patients on tacrolimus who developed TMA, presenting with new-onset anemia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, low haptoglobin, and schistocytes. All patients had elevated tacrolimus levels and responded to discontinuation, transitioning to alternative immunosuppressants like sirolimus or everolimus. Kidney function and hematologic abnormalities improved with therapy adjustments. DISCUSSION: Tacrolimus-induced TMA, although infrequent in heart transplant patients, requires a high index of suspicion. Diagnosis can be difficult due to complex clinical histories, complex medication regimen, and variable time of onset. Early identification and tacrolimus discontinuation are essential for favorable outcomes. TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: Tacrolimus-induced TMA is a rare but serious complication in heart transplant patients. Timely diagnosis and tacrolimus cessation are crucial for optimal outcomes.

Indexed as

cardiac transplantchronic heart failurecomplication

Identifiers

PMID40615180
PMCPMC12441231

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.