The possible vasopressor effect of cyclosporine (CS) on both the systemic and pulmonary vascular beds has been investigated during bicycle exercise in 12 heart transplant recipients (mean age, 41 years) using pulmonary artery catheter measurements. Eight patients were taking cyclosporine and six azathioprine and prednisolone (AzS) as immunosuppressive therapy. With exercise, CS recipients show a significantly larger rise in systemic pressure than AzS recipients (P less than 0.001), with persistently higher pulmonary pressures (P less than 0.001). This suggests a generalized vasopressor effect of CS on the vasculature.
Adult Azathioprine