title: A concise review of hepatitis C in heart and lung transplantation.
abstract: Hepatitis C (HCV) infection is prevalent in recipients of, and candidates for, solid organ transplants. The outcomes of HCV infection in cardiac and lung transplant recipients have yet to be clearly established, and future prospective studies are needed. In the absence of safe and effective antiviral treatment for HCV infection in heart and lung transplant recipients, the management of these patients remains a challenge and must be considered on an individual basis. Interferon therapy for HCV before transplantation appears to improve outcomes; however, post-transplant interferon therapy in the cardiac and pulmonary transplant setting may be associated with an increased risk of graft rejection. Given the paucity of information regarding HCV treatment in these transplant recipients, and with appropriate concerns that graft loss from rejection may not be amenable to a second transplant (given the scarcity of suitable cadaveric organs), multicentre, randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the optimal approach for treatment of HCV infection in this population.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre, Vancouver, Britist Columbia.
authors.forename: Edward Yc
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hin Hin
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Yoshida
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents