High Incidence of Cytomegalovirus Disease in D+/R− Heart Transplant Recipients Shortly After Completion of 3 Months of Valganciclovir Prophylaxis

There was a high incidence of CMV disease in D+/R− heart transplant recipients despite CMV hyperimmune globulin, 2 weeks of intravenous ganciclovir and 3 months of valganciclovir prophylaxis. CMV infection occurred consistently within 2 to 3 months of cessation of valganciclovir. Alternative strategies for CMV prophylaxis, including an extension of valganciclovir prophylaxis to 6 months after heart transplantation, needs to be investigated.