Acute cardiorespiratory compromise in two adolescents following basiliximab therapy during living-related renal transplantation

Abstract

Basiliximab (Simulect, Novartis, Summit, New Jersey) is a chimeric human/mouse antibody specific for the interleukin II receptor expressed on activated T lymphocytes. Initial experience has demonstrated it to be an effective immunosuppressive agent for patients undergoing renal transplantation. To date, there are limited reports regarding adverse effects following its administration. We present two patients who received intraoperative doses of basiliximab and who subsequently developed cardiorespiratory compromise during living-related renal transplantation. One patient developed post-operative non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema while the second patient developed myocardial dysfunction manifested by hypotension, bradycardia and asystole. Although a direct causal relationship cannot definitively be proven, other etiologies for the cardiorespiratory compromise were ruled out and the most likely etiologic factor was thought to be basiliximab.