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Rochlani Y, Diab K, Jorde UP. Hepatitis C-Positive Donors in Cardiac Transplantation: Problems and Opportunities. Curr Heart Fail Rep 2020; 17:106-15. [PMID: 32474734 DOI: 10.1007/s11897-020-00466-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW With the growing need for donor hearts and longer transplant waiting lists, there is a growing interest in expanding the donor pool by reconsidering previously excluded donor candidates. There has been an increase in solid organ availability due to drug overdose deaths in the setting of the recent opioid epidemic. However, these donors often have transmissible infections such as hepatitis C. In this review, we discuss the challenges associated with heart transplantation from hepatitis C-infected donors as well as the recent advancements that are making the use of these organs possible. RECENT FINDINGS With the introduction and widespread use of nucleic acid testing (NAT), the ability to distinguish viremic donors and those that have cleared the virus has become a reality. In addition, with the emergence of direct antiviral agents, there is an increase in data showing the short-term outcomes and success of hepatitis C treatment for recipients of viremic donor hearts. As techniques to distinguish donor hepatitis C infection status and successful treatments emerge, the percentage of accepted hepatitis C donor hearts is increasing. A number of studies showing success with hepatitis C organ transplants present a promising new avenue for organ procurement essential to meet the increasing demand for donor hearts.
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Abstract
Purpose of review With increasing survival of patients with stage D heart failure, the demand for heart transplantation has increased. The supply of donor hearts remains relatively limited. Strategies have been investigated and new technologies have been developed to expand the current donor pool. These new approaches will be discussed herein. Recent findings Donor hearts are often considered “marginal” due to risk factors such as older age, size mismatch with the intended recipient, prolonged ischemic time, presence of left ventricular hypertrophy, and hepatitis B/C infection. We reviewed recent data regarding the use of donor hearts with these risk factors and suggest ways to safely liberalize current donor heart acceptance criteria. New technologies such as temperature-controlled transport systems and ex vivo cardiac perfusion methods have also demonstrated promising short-term and intermediate outcomes as compared with routine cold storage, by promoting heart preservation and enabling heart procurement from remote sites with shorter cold ischemic time. Recent use of hearts from donation after circulatory death donors has demonstrated comparable outcomes to conventional donation after brain death, which can further expand the current donor pool. Summary Careful selection of “marginal” donor hearts, use of ex vivo cardiac perfusion, and acceptance of hearts after circulatory death may expand our current cardiac donor pool with comparable outcomes to conventional donor selection and preparation methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin K W Tong
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Falk CVRC 263, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
| | - Kiran K Khush
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Falk CVRC 263, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in recipients or donors on heart transplants is less known in the current era after the introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) in 2011. METHODS Using the United Network for Organ Sharing registry, 24 871 adult heart transplant recipients between 2005 and 2019 were identified. The trend in prevalence of HCV infected recipients and in utilization of HCV infected donors and their effect on the transplant outcomes were investigated in the past era versus the current era separated by 2011, using Cox proportional hazard regression. RESULTS HCV antibody positive recipients (n=520, 2.1%) had stable prevalence (P=0.18). They had a lower survival estimate when compared to HCV antibody negative recipients in the past era (55.3% versus 70.9% at 7 years; hazard ratio (HR), 1.56; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.27-1.91; P<0.001), however not in the current era (73.1% versus 71.5% at 7 years; HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.75-1.32; P=0.98) (Pinteraction<0.001). Organ use from HCV antibody positive donors (n=371, 1.5%) was concentrated in the recent years (P<0.001) and provided the similar survival estimate up to 2 years (84.2% versus 87.6%; HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.65-1.44; P=0.87). The similar findings were confirmed with a subgroup cohort with positive nucleic acid amplification test (NAT). CONCLUSIONS Positive HCV antibody in recipients did not adversely affect the long-term transplant outcomes in the current era. Graft utilization from positive HCV antibody or NAT positive donors are rapidly more prevalent and appeared to be promising up to 2 years posttransplant.
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McLean RC, Reese PP, Acker M, Atluri P, Bermudez C, Goldberg LR, Abt PL, Blumberg EA, Van Deerlin VM, Reddy KR, Bloom RD, Hasz R, Suplee L, Sicilia A, Woodards A, Zahid MN, Bar KJ, Porrett P, Levine MH, Hornsby N, Gentile C, Smith J, Goldberg DS. Transplanting hepatitis C virus-infected hearts into uninfected recipients: A single-arm trial. Am J Transplant 2019; 19:2533-2542. [PMID: 30768838 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The advent of direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) has generated tremendous interest in transplanting organs from HCV-infected donors. We conducted a single-arm trial of orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) from HCV-infected donors into uninfected recipients, followed by elbasvir/grazoprevir treatment after recipient HCV was first detected (NCT03146741; sponsor: Merck). We enrolled OHT candidates aged 40-65 years; left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support and liver disease were exclusions. We accepted hearts from HCV-genotype 1 donors. From May 16, 2017 to May 10, 2018, 20 patients consented for screening and enrolled, and 10 (median age 52.5 years; 80% male) underwent OHT. The median wait from UNOS opt-in for HCV nucleic-acid-test (NAT)+ donor offers to OHT was 39 days (interquartile range [IQR] 17-57). The median donor age was 34 years (IQR 31-37). Initial recipient HCV RNA levels ranged from 25 IU/mL to 40 million IU/mL, but all 10 patients had rapid decline in HCV NAT after elbasvir/grazoprevir treatment. Nine recipients achieved sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR-12). The 10th recipient had a positive cross-match, experienced antibody-mediated rejection and multi-organ failure, and died on day 79. No serious adverse events occurred from HCV transmission or treatment. These short-term results suggest that HCV-negative candidates transplanted with HCV-infected hearts have acceptable outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhondalyn C McLean
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Peter P Reese
- Renal-Electrolyte and Hypertension Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Bioinformatics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael Acker
- Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Pavan Atluri
- Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Christian Bermudez
- Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lee R Goldberg
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Peter L Abt
- Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Emily A Blumberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Vivianna M Van Deerlin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - K Rajender Reddy
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Roy D Bloom
- Renal-Electrolyte and Hypertension Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Richard Hasz
- Gift of Life Donor Program, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Anna Sicilia
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ashley Woodards
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Bioinformatics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Muhammad Nauman Zahid
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Katharine J Bar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Paige Porrett
- Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Matthew H Levine
- Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nicole Hornsby
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Caren Gentile
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jennifer Smith
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - David S Goldberg
- Renal-Electrolyte and Hypertension Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Wettersten N, Tran H, Mekeel K, Pretorius V, Adler E, Aslam S. Successful heart-kidney transplantation from a Hepatitis C viremic donor to negative recipient: One year of follow-up. Transpl Infect Dis 2018; 21:e13002. [PMID: 30222242 DOI: 10.1111/tid.13002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Every year the number of patients waiting for a heart transplant increases faster than the number of available donor organs. Some potential donor organs are from donors with active communicable diseases, including hepatitis C virus (HCV), potentially making donation prohibitive. The advent of direct-acting antiviral agents for HCV has drastically changed the treatment of HCV. Recently, these agents have been used to treat HCV in organ donor recipients who acquired the disease from the donor organ. We report a case of heart-kidney transplantation from an HCV viremic donor to HCV negative recipient with successful treatment and sustained virologic response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hao Tran
- Division of Cardiology, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Kristin Mekeel
- Division of Transplantation & Hepatobiliary Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Victor Pretorius
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Eric Adler
- Division of Cardiology, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Saima Aslam
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, California
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Correale M, Tarantino N, Petrucci R, Tricarico L, Laonigro I, Di Biase M, Brunetti ND. Liver disease and heart failure: Back and forth. Eur J Intern Med 2018; 48:25-34. [PMID: 29100896 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2017.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In their clinical practice, physicians can face heart diseases (chronic or acute heart failure) affecting the liver and liver diseases affecting the heart. Systemic diseases can also affect both heart and liver. Therefore, it is crucial in clinical practice to identify complex interactions between heart and liver, in order to provide the best treatment for both. In this review, we sought to summarize principal evidence explaining the mechanisms and supporting the existence of this complicate cross-talk between heart and liver. Hepatic involvement after heart failure, its pathophysiology, clinical presentation (congestive and ischemic hepatopathy), laboratory and echocardiographic prognostic markers are discussed; likewise, hepatic diseases influencing cardiac function (cirrhotic cardiomyopathy). Several clinical conditions (congenital, metabolic and infectious causes) possibly affecting simultaneously liver and heart have been also discussed. Cardiovascular drug therapy may present important side effects on the liver and hepato-biliary drug therapy on heart and vessels; post-transplantation immunosuppressive drugs may show reciprocal cardio-hepatotoxicity. A heart-liver axis is drafted by inflammatory reactants from the heart and the liver, and liver acts a source of energy substrates for the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicola Tarantino
- Department of Medical & Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Italy.
| | - Rossella Petrucci
- Department of Medical & Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Italy.
| | - Lucia Tricarico
- Department of Medical & Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Italy.
| | - Irma Laonigro
- Ospedali Riuniti University Hospital, Foggia, Italy.
| | - Matteo Di Biase
- Department of Medical & Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Italy.
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Abstract
The growing disparity between the supply of donor hearts for transplantation and the demand for such organs has led to liberalization of the criteria for donor heart acceptance over the past few decades. The upper age limit and size restrictions for donor heart acceptance continue to be revised and hearts are being routinely used from donors with left ventricular dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), cocaine use, multiple medical co-morbidities and after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This article reviews recent data for use of such "expanded criteria" donor hearts and suggests ways to further increase the donor pool, including use of hearts from donors with hepatitis C and after circulatory determination of death. Donor biomarkers and risk scores may eventually aid in heart acceptance decisions, while ethical issues surrounding information sharing with transplant recipients remain a topic of great debate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran K Khush
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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8
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Until recently, transplantation from hepatitis C-positive donors was relatively contraindicated as eradication of active hepatitis C previously required an interferon-based regimen that has been associated with rejection in solid organ transplantation. New interferon-free treatment regimens for hepatitis C have fewer adverse events and higher cure rates than interferon-based regimens. Interferon-free regimens have been shown to be safe in the liver transplantation literature, but little is known about the safety and efficacy of treatment in heart transplantation. CASE DESCRIPTION AND DISCUSSION Here we report a case of successful eradication of hepatitis C with a non-interferon-based regimen using ledipasvir-sofosbuvir following combined orthotopic heart and liver transplantation. Based on the prevalence of hepatitis C in the general population, inclusion of hepatitis C-positive donors for heart transplantation can expand this component of the donor pool 3- to 6-fold. CONCLUSIONS In carefully selected patients and recipients, inclusion of hepatitis C-positive donors may allow for expansion of the donor pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Grinstein
- University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Laura M Lourenco
- University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Helen S Te
- University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - John F Renz
- University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Surgery, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Valluvan Jeevanandam
- University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Surgery, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Nir Uriel
- University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
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Trakroo S, Qureshi K. Successful Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection With Direct-Acting Antivirals in a Heart Transplant Recipient: A Case Report. Transplant Proc 2016; 47:2295-7. [PMID: 26361703 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2015.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Revised: 05/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart transplant (HT) recipients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are noted to have higher rates of HCV related morbidity and mortality. Treatment of HCV in the past was fraught with low cure rates, increased risk of graft rejection, and medication-related side effects. CASE REPORT We report a case of successful treatment of HCV infection in a HT recipient. The patient was found to have HCV during his pretransplant workup. He underwent uneventful orthotopic HT in 2000. The HCV infection was monitored with regular liver enzymes and the surveillance liver biopsies at 2 and 5 years after HT showed mild but stable liver disease, and he stayed on chronic immunosuppression. He was not offered interferon-based HCV therapy because of the risk of steroid-resistant graft failure and cardiac decompensation. With the availability of the new direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for HCV infection, and worsening of liver fibrosis on noninvasive testing, we treated him with sofosbuvir and simeprevir for 12 weeks. During treatment, he remained clinically stable from a cardiac standpoint and he showed biochemical improvement in his liver and renal functions. Tacrolimus levels remained stable and did not require any dose adjustment. He showed rapid virologic response and subsequently achieved sustained virologic response at 12 weeks. CONCLUSION DAA use was safe and effective in treating HCV infection in a HT recipient.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Trakroo
- Department of Transplantation, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - K Qureshi
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Belga S, Doucette KE. Hepatitis C in non-hepatic solid organ transplant candidates and recipients: A new horizon. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:1650-63. [PMID: 26819530 PMCID: PMC4721996 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i4.1650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is estimated to affect 130-150 million people globally which corresponds to 2%-3% of the total world population. It remains the leading indication for liver transplant worldwide and has been demonstrated to negatively impact both patient and graft survival following non-hepatic organ transplantation. In the era of interferon-based therapy, although treatment and cure of HCV prior to non-hepatic transplant improved survival, tolerability and low cure rates substantially limited therapy. Interferon (IFN)-based therapy following non-hepatic solid organ transplant, due to the risk of allograft rejection, is generally contraindicated. Rapid advances in IFN-free therapy with direct acting antivirals (DAAs) in the last few years have completely changed the paradigm of hepatitis C therapy. Compared to IFN-based regimens, DAAs have less frequent and less severe adverse effects, shorter durations of therapy, and higher cure rates that are minimally impacted by historically negative predictors of response such as cirrhosis, ethnicity, and post-transplant state. Recent studies have shown that liver transplant (LT) recipients can be safely and effectively treated with DAA combination therapies; although data are limited, many of the principles of therapy in LT may be extrapolated to non-hepatic solid organ transplant recipients. Here we review the data on DAA combination therapies in transplantation, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of pre- vs post-transplant HCV therapy and future directions.
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Abstract
Cytokines, currently known to be more than 130 in number, are small MW (<30 kDa) key signaling proteins that modulate cellular activities in immunity, infection, inflammation and malignancy. Key to understanding their function is recognition of their pleiotropism and often overlapping and functional redundancies. Classified here into 9 main families, most of the 20 approved cytokine preparations (18 different cytokines; 3 pegylated), all in recombinant human (rh) form, are grouped in the hematopoietic growth factor, interferon, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) families. In the hematopoietin family, approved cytokines are aldesleukin (rhIL-2), oprelvekin (rhIL-11), filgrastim and tbo-filgrastim (rhG-CSF), sargramostim (rhGM-CSF), metreleptin (rh-leptin) and the rh-erythropoietins, epoetin and darbepoietin alfa. Anakinra, a recombinant receptor antagonist for IL-1, is in the IL-1 family; recombinant interferons alfa-1, alfa-2, beta-1 and gamma-1 make up the interferon family; palifermin (rhKGF) and becaplermin (rhPDGF) are in the PDGF family; and rhBMP-2 and rhBMP-7 represent the TGFβ family. The main physicochemical features, FDA-approved indications, modes of action and side effects of these approved cytokines are presented. Underlying each adverse events profile is their pleiotropism, potency and capacity to release other cytokines producing cytokine 'cocktails'. Side effects, some serious, occur despite cytokines being endogenous proteins, and this therefore demands caution in attempts to introduce individual members into the clinic. This caution is reflected in the relatively small number of cytokines currently approved by regulatory agencies and by the fact that 14 of the FDA-approved preparations carry warnings, with 10 being black box warnings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuradha Lala
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital Heart and Vascular Center and Harvard Medical School
- NYU Langone Medical Center, New York University School of Medicine
| | - Emer Joyce
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital Heart and Vascular Center and Harvard Medical School
| | - John D. Groarke
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital Heart and Vascular Center and Harvard Medical School
| | - Mandeep R. Mehra
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital Heart and Vascular Center and Harvard Medical School
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Sekar B, Newton PJ, Williams SG, Shaw SM. Should we consider patients with coexistent hepatitis B or C infection for orthotopic heart transplantation? J Transplant 2013; 2013:748578. [PMID: 24307939 DOI: 10.1155/2013/748578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2013] [Revised: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart transplantation (HTX) is the gold standard surgical treatment for patients with advanced heart failure. The prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection in HTX recipients is over 10%. Despite its increased prevalence, the long-term outcome in this cohort is still not clear. There is a reluctance to place these patients on transplant waiting list given the increased incidence of viral reactivation and chronic liver disease after transplant. The emergence of new antiviral therapies to treat this cohort seems promising but their long-term outcome is yet to be established. The aim of this paper is to review the literature and explore whether it is justifiable to list advanced heart failure patients with coexistent hepatitis B/C infection for HTX.
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Kim EY, Ko HH, Yoshida EM. A concise review of hepatitis C in heart and lung transplantation. Can J Gastroenterol 2011; 25:445-8. [PMID: 21912770 DOI: 10.1155/2011/947838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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.
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Current awareness: Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2010; 19:i-xii. [DOI: 10.1002/pds.1855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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