Effective oral ganciclovir prophylaxis against cytomegalovirus disease in heart transplant recipients.
The presented data show the combined sequential use of i.v. G for 14 days followed by PO G for 90 days is a much more effective prophylaxis for CMVD after heart transplantation than use of i.v. G for 14 days followed by PO A for 90 days. A need for hospitalization due to CMVD is significantly reduced by this new strategy. The follow-up in group II is shorter than in group I but is now at least 6 months in group II, without any new cases in the first 6 months after cardiac transplantation. Some currently unknown adverse effect of prolonged PO G, which may be present, is not identified in this analysis.
Mullen
G M
GM
Loyola University Health System, Department of Medicine/Division of Cardiology, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA.
Silver
M A
MA
Malinowska
K
K
Lawless
C E
CE
Lichtenberg
R C
RC
Barath
P C
PC
O'Keefe
P J
PJ
Robinson
J A
JA
Yeldandi
V
V
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015774:Ganciclovir