Table 3.
Characteristics of biopsy-negative rejection.
| Characteristics | BNR cases (N = 12) |
|---|---|
| De novo antibody development posttransplant before BNR onset, % | 3/12 (25%) |
| Donor-specific antibody, % | 1/3 (33%) |
| LVEF % ± SD | |
| At discharge of initial hospitalization for heart transplant | 61% ± 6% |
| Last LVEF before BNR onset | 53% ± 6% |
| At BNR presentation | 34% ± 10% |
| Cases with 1st year BNR, % | 11/12 (92%) |
| No treated rejection before BNR, % | 11/12 (92%)* |
| Biopsy features before BNR (n = 106) | |
| Biopsy cellular rejection episodes (1A, 1B, or 1R), % | 25/106 (23%) |
| Biopsy antibody-mediated rejection episodes (1), % | 1/106 (0.9%) |
| Treatment | |
| Require inotropes, % | 4/12 (16.7%) |
| IV methylprednisolone followed by prednisone bolus and taper, % | 4/12 (33%) |
| ATG, % | 3/12 (25%) |
| IVIG, % | 3/12 (25%) |
| Oral steroid treatment non-CHF cases, % | 7/12 (58%) |
| Outcome | |
| Cases with normalized LVEF, % | 7/12 (58%) |
| Mean LVEF at recovery, LVEF % ± SD | 57% ± 6% |
| Mean days to recovery, days ± SD | 14 ± 10 |
| Negative (ACR 0R, AMR 0) biopsy result after treatment, % | 10/12 (83%) |
*The only case that represented the patient who had two BNRs during followup.