Transplantation and immunosuppressive therapy

Anaesthetist and intensive care physicians will probably be involved, at some stage, in the care of patients who have had or are undergoing organ transplantation. This requires an understanding of the immune response and the drugs used to facilitate transplantation. For most patients this involves steroids, a calcineurin inhibitor and an antimetabaloid. In addition, medication for other factors, such as underlying organ failure and its causes, requires consideration during the perioperative period. Integration with an involvement of the transplantation team is vital from the outset in the care of these patients.