Tacrolimus pharmacokinetics and toxicity in the first days after heart and lung transplantation

Abstract

The objectives of this thesis were to gain insight into how pharmacokinetics early after heart and lung transplantation affect the risk of tacrolimus (nephro-)toxicity. The authors used a population pharmacokinetic model of tacrolimus whole-blood, and total and unbound plasma to examine the pharmacokinetics in the first week after thoracic organ transplantation. The ultimate goal was to guide the transplant physician to improve tacrolimus dosing in the clinically unstable thoracic organ transplant patient and diminish tacrolimus (nephro-)toxicity.