Combined Prophylactic and Pre-Emptive CMV Strategy with Valganciclovir in Heart Transplant Patients Is Efficacious and Safe

We execute a combined prophylactic and pre-emptive strategy to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with CMV disease among heart transplant patients. Depending on donor/recipient (D/R) CMV status, the recipients receive valganciclovir (VGCV) prophylaxis either for 6 months 900mg od (D+/R) or 3 months 450mg OD (the rest). After discontinuation of the prophylaxis we monitor the blood CMV antigenemia or nucleic acid levels for 3 months and treat the patients pre-emptively. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this regimen.