Possibility of avoiding heart transplantation in children with acute myocarditis

Researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles, USA have come up with the interesting finding that OKT3 administered in combination with other immunosuppressive drugs appears to be effective in children with acute myocarditis thus eliminating the need for 6a heart transplantation. 5 myocarditis patients ranging in age from 15 month to 16.5 years were treated 3 to 4 years ago with a combination of OKT3 immunoglobulin, methylprednisolone, cyclosporine and azathioprine. The team found that OKT3 reversed the damage to the ventricles and salvaged heart muscle in treated patients, all are currently doing well, have normal heart function, and none are taking any medications to prevent congesting cardiac failure. (Journal of Heart and Lung Transplant 2000: 19: 1118- 1121).