Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Reduced Complications after Arterial Reconnection in a Rat Model of Orthotopic Liver Transplantation
08:39

Reduced Complications after Arterial Reconnection in a Rat Model of Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Published on: November 7, 2020

Impact of hepatitis C infection on outcomes after heart transplantation

Tse-Ling Fong1, Linda Hou, Ian V Hutchinson

  • 1Abdominal Transplantation Program, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. tselingf@usc.edu

Transplantation
|November 10, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Heart transplant recipients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have lower survival rates but similar causes of death compared to uninfected patients. Carefully selected HCV-positive candidates should not be excluded from heart transplantation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Transplantation Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects 7-18% of heart transplant (OHT) recipients.
  • Limited data exists on OHT outcomes in HCV-positive patients, leading many centers to deny transplants.
  • This study addresses the clinical outcomes of HCV-seropositive OHT recipients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the clinical outcomes of HCV-seropositive and HCV-seronegative heart transplant recipients.
  • To evaluate the impact of pre-transplant HCV infection on patient survival and acute rejection rates.
  • To inform transplant center policies regarding HCV-positive candidates.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network/United Network for Organ Sharing database.
  • Analyzed data from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2005.
  • Compared 224 HCV-seropositive recipients with 10,406 HCV-seronegative recipients (all received HCV-seronegative donor organs).

Main Results:

  • HCV-seropositive recipients had significantly lower 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates (P=0.036).
  • Adjusted relative risk for HCV-seropositive status did not reach statistical significance (P=0.087).
  • Causes of death and acute rejection rates were similar between groups.

Conclusions:

  • A more rational approach is needed for managing HCV-seropositive heart transplant candidates.
  • Carefully selected HCV-seropositive patients should not be excluded from OHT.
  • The findings support reconsidering transplant eligibility criteria for select HCV-positive individuals.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Vascular Reconstruction with the Cuff Technique in Mouse Orthotopic Liver Transplantation05:25

Vascular Reconstruction with the Cuff Technique in Mouse Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Published on: December 1, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Kidney Transplant I: Introduction01:28

Kidney Transplant I: Introduction

A kidney transplant is a surgical approach that involves replacing a non-functioning kidney with a healthy one from a donor. This procedure is often a treatment option for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The method requires careful recipient selection, including evaluating various medical and psychosocial factors. These criteria vary between transplant centers but generally include assessments of the patient's overall health, adherence to medical recommendations, and lifestyle...
Tissue Transplantation01:24

Tissue Transplantation

Tissue transplantation is a significant medical procedure involving the transfer of cells, tissues, or organs from a donor to a recipient, with the primary aim of restoring lost functions. This procedure is crucial in treating a broad spectrum of diseases, including kidney diseases, liver failure, heart disease, and certain types of cancers.
The Biology of Tissue Transplantation
The biology of tissue transplantation hinges on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. These molecules...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow01:26

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow

Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug binding...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...