Important History in Transplantation Complications

When taking a history from a patient with an organ transplant, many elements vary from the routine patient. The following are of particular importance in the history of any patient with an organ transplant

• Current symptoms, especially fever
• Transplant age (ie, interval since transplant)
• Living or cadaveric organ source
• Previous episodes of rejection (may have necessitated an increase of immunosuppression)
• Current medications, including over-the-counter drugs
• Recent medication changes
• Immunosuppressive therapy
• Compliance with therapy
• Previous infections
• Recent exposure to ill patients