Let's Tacro-bout it
Also known by this brand name, tacrolimus was originally marketed for transplant immunosuppression.
What is Prograf?
This lab value is monitored closely after a kidney transplant to assess how well the new kidney is functioning
What is creatinine?
A routine imaging study used after liver transplantation to assess hepatic blood flow is called this.
What is Doppler ultrasound?
Most pancreas transplants are performed in combination with a transplant of this other organ.
What is the kidney?
This organ is most commonly transplanted worldwide.
What is the kidney?
This neurologic side effect, often presenting as hand shaking, is a common adverse effect of tacrolimus therapy
What is tremor?
This diagnostic procedure is considered the gold standard for confirming suspected kidney transplant rejection.
What is a renal (kidney) biopsy?
This scoring system uses bilirubin, INR, and creatinine to prioritize patients on the liver transplant waiting list.
What is the MELD score?
Patients with this autoimmune disorder are the most common candidates for a pancreas transplant.
What is type 1 diabetes?
In the U.S., this organization manages the national organ transplant waiting list.
What is UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing)?
Patients taking tacrolimus are advised to avoid these foods because they interfere with how the drug is metabolized.
What are grapefruit, pomegranate, and Seville oranges?
A rising creatinine, decreased urine output, and tenderness over the transplant site may indicate this serious complication.
What is acute rejection?
Patients with severe liver disease may develop this neuropsychiatric condition, which must be managed carefully before transplant.
What is hepatic encephalopathy?
Elevated levels of this enzyme may indicate injury or rejection of the transplanted pancreas.
What is amylase or lipase?
Corticosteroids like prednisone are often used after transplant for this purpose.
What is to suppress the immune system?
In solid organ transplant recipients, a tacrolimus trough, typically drawn immediately before the morning dose is considered "normal" when in between these numbers.
What is 5-15?
Patients are taught to report these early symptoms, often accompanied by fever, that may indicate infection after transplant surgery
What is redness, swelling, or drainage at the incision site?
Following liver transplantation, the presence of this milky fluid in a JP drain may suggest this rare postoperative lymphatic complication.
What is a What is chyle or chylous leak?
A sudden increase in blood sugar after pancreas transplantation may suggest this acute problem.
What is acute graft rejection?
This common virus can cause serious disease in immunosuppressed transplant patients, particularly in the first 3 months post-transplant.
What is cytomegalovirus (CMV)?
Tacrolimus is classified in this medication category that suppresses T-cell activation to prevent transplant rejection.
What are Calcineurin inhibitors?
This potentially dangerous electrolyte imbalance, often seen after kidney transplantation, can result from impaired graft function, medications like tacrolimus, or rejection.
What is hyperkalemia?
This vascular complication, where the hepatic artery becomes narrowed or blocked, can lead to graft loss.
What is hepatic artery thrombosis?
After a pancreas transplant, sudden severe abdominal pain, graft swelling, and elevated serum amylase may indicate this life-threatening event.
What is graft thrombosis?
This immunologic test, often performed before and after transplantation, detects preformed antibodies that could lead to hyperacute rejection.
What is a panel reactive antibody (PRA) test?