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Course of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection undergoing heart transplantation

O Cano1, L Almenar, L Martínez-Dolz

  • 1Heart Failure and Transplant Unit, Department of Cardiology, La Fe University Hospital, Valencia, Spain.

Transplantation Proceedings
|September 25, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection undergoing heart transplantation (HT) experienced a favorable clinical course. No significant liver damage or reactivation of HCV was observed post-transplantation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hepatology
  • Transplantation Medicine

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant comorbidity.
  • The impact of HCV on heart transplantation (HT) outcomes requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical course of patients with chronic HCV infection undergoing HT.
  • To evaluate liver function, morphology, and mortality in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 11 patients with chronic HCV infection who underwent HT.
  • Assessment of liver function tests, hepatobiliary ultrasounds (pre- and post-transplant), and mortality data.
  • Follow-up duration averaged 32 months post-transplantation.

Main Results:

  • No liver parenchyma abnormalities were detected on ultrasounds before or after HT.
  • Liver function laboratory parameters remained stable throughout the follow-up period.
  • Mortality rate was 27% (3 deaths), with no deaths attributed to HCV infection.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with chronic HCV infection and no significant pre-surgical liver damage exhibit a favorable clinical course after HT.
  • HCV infection did not appear to reactivate or cause significant liver issues post-transplantation in this cohort.
  • HCV should not be an absolute contraindication for HT in carefully selected patients.
Abstract

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