Effect of everolimus vs calcineurin inhibitors on quality of life in heart transplant recipients during a 3-year follow-up:Results of a randomized controlled trial (SCHEDULE)

The Scandinavian heart transplant everolimus de novo study with early calcineurin inhibitors avoidance (SCHEDULE) trial was a 12 month, randomized, open-label, parallel-group trial that compared everolimus (EVR; n=56) to conventional CsA (n=59) immunosuppression. Previously, we reported that EVR outperformed CsA in improving renal function and coronary artery vasculopathy, despite a higher rejection rate with EVR. This study aimed to compare the effects of these treatments on quality of life (QoL). Within five post-operative days, patients (mean age 50±13 years, 27% women) were randomized to EVR or a standard CsA dosage (CsA group). This study assessed quality of life (QoL), based on the Short Form-36, EuroQol-5D, and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Assessments were performed pre-HTx and 12 and 36 months post-HTx. At 12 and 36 months, the groups showed similar improvements in Short Form-36 measures (at pre-HTx, 12 and 36 months the values were as follows: Physical component summary: EVR: 31.5±110.9, 49.1±9.7, and 47.9±10.6; P