Abstract
Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a serious problem after heart transplantation. Recipients with D+/R- CMV serostatus often receive prophylaxis with valganciclovir, but the optimal duration of such therapy after heart transplant is unknown. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical course of all adult cardiac transplant recipients with D+/R- CMV serostatus at the UT Southwestern Medical Center between January 2003 and December 2006. Standard immunosuppression included basiliximab induction therapy and the CMV prophylaxis included CMV hyperimmune globulin, 2 weeks of intravenous ganciclovir and 3 months of oral valganciclovir. Results: Seven patients met the study criteria. Six of the 7 patients (86%) developed CMV disease. Five of these 6 patients presented with CMV disease within 3 months of the cessation of valganciclovir prophylaxis. Conclusions: There was a high incidence of CMV disease in D+/R- heart transplant recipients despite CMV hyperimmune globulin, 2 weeks of intravenous ganciclovir and 3 months of valganciclovir prophylaxis. CMV infection occurred consistently within 2 to 3 months of cessation of valganciclovir. Alternative strategies for CMV prophylaxis, including an extension of valganciclovir prophylaxis to 6 months after heart transplantation, needs to be investigated.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 536-539 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2008 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
- Transplantation