Role of CMV in transplant coronary artery disease and survival after heart transplantation.
The development of arteriosclerosis after heart transplantation plays a major role in decreased graft and patient survival. Although several pathogenic mechanisms have been proposed for the development of posttransplant coronary artery disease (CAD), a significant amount of accumulating evidence suggests that cytomegalovirus is a critical factor in this disease. Because post-transplant CAD is often a silent disease and early detection escapes conventional angiography, physicians must maintain close surveillance of heart transplant patients and institute prophylaxis in high-risk groups. In addition to targeting conventional risk factors, prophylaxis against CMV disease should decrease the incidence of the disease.
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Cardiac Transplant Clinical Research, Falk Cardiovascular Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305-5246, USA.
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D015996:Survival Rate
D000998:Antiviral Agents