Does Prophylactic Ganciclovir Therapy after Heart Transplantation Decrease CMV-infection Properly?

Objective: CMV-infection is a common risk factor for the postoperative course after heart transplantation (HTx). The prophylactic use of Ganciclovir (in order to avoid CMV-infection) is costly and the efficacy is discussed controversly. In a randomised, prospective, clinical trial, CMV-prophylaxis on incidence of CMV-infection, transplant vasculopathy (TVP) and clinical outcome was compared to a untreated control group.