The Effect of Everolimus vs Calcineurin Inhibitors on Quality of Life During 5-6 Years Follow-up After Heart Transplantation: The Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial (SCHEDULE)

Due to long term complications of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) in heart transplantation (HTx), there has been an increasing interest in everolimus (EVR)-based regimens allowing for CNI withdrawal. However, EVR has been associated with a different adverse effect profile, which may impact quality of life (QoL). We examined QoL in The Scandinavian heart transplant everolimus de novo study with early CNI avoidance (SCHEDULE trial). Our aim was to compare QoL in patients treated with a CNI-based regimen versus a CNI free EVR based regimen after 1, 3 and 5-6 years follow up, after HTx.