Hepatitis C virus and liver transplantation.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains the most common cause of hepatic failure requiring orthotopic liver transplantation, and the disparity between the number of patients in need of liver replacement and the number of organs available continues to grow. Unfortunately, without viral eradication before transplantation, HCV recurrence is universal and is associated with poor graft and patient survival. Despite expansion of the donor pool and attempts to suppress HCV activity with various pretransplant and posttransplant antiviral therapies, many questions remain. This article reviews the literature regarding the evaluation of patients for transplantation, the antiviral therapies available in the peritransplant period, the immunosuppressive regimens, used, and the approach to patients with recurrent HCV infection.
Verna
Elizabeth C
EC
Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, 5th Floor, Room 5-006, 177 Fort Washington, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Brown
Robert S
RS
D006085:Graft Survival; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000254:growth & development*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014850:Waiting Lists