Lymphocytic Myocarditis After Lung Transplantation

Combining an antiviral with rituximab in EBV-related haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis led to rapid viral clearance; and a comprehensive review

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBVr-HLH) has a better prognosis when the virus is rapidly cleared, but the best antiviral approach is controversial. We present a patient to whom the therapeutic standard rituximab was co-administered with valacyclovir and an HLH-specific treatment with favourable viral and clinical responses. We conducted an extensive literature review and contacted several world reference centres and experts to inquire about their approaches and experience. We conclude that antivirals are infrequently used for EBVr-HLH, despite their laboratory-proven and likely clinical beneficial effect on some EBV-related diseases. However, the role of antivirals remains obscure. Concerns about their lack of efficacy are based on observational data and reports of the cellular tropism of EBV. Therefore, the adjunct use of antivirals may be considered when myelotoxicity is not the primary concern, and related outcomes should be systematically recorded to produce higher quality evidence.

Herpes simplex virus-induced cardiomyopathy successfully treated with acyclovir

Inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMi) represents an acquired form of dilated cardiomyopathy. Viral infection is the most common cause of DCMi. In contrast with other cardiotropic viruses, herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a very rare finding in endomyocardial biopsies of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. We report a case of HSV-induced cardiomyopathy successfully treated with acyclovir.

Severe left-sided heart failure early after liver transplantation

Left-sided heart failure (LHF) after liver transplantation (LT) is rare and poorly understood. We performed a case-control study. We reviewed the data of all patients with LHF after LT at our center from November 2000 to July 2007. Each case was matched to 1 LT control without LHF for age, sex, date of transplantation, and liver disease. Twenty of 599 patients developed LHF (3.3%). Pretransplant cardiovascular characteristics and risk factors were similar in cases and controls, except for the prevalence of left ventricular enlargement, which was greater in controls. At the time of diagnosis, the median left ventricular ejection fraction was 25% in cases, and increased afterload was documented by markedly elevated vascular resistances. The prevalence of infection at the time of LHF in cases was higher (55%) than in controls (10%, P = 0.02). The reported causes of LHF were infection [bacterial (n = 1) or viral (n = 7)], intraoperative cardiac arrest (n = 2), and unknown (n = 10). In comparison with their controls, cases with immediate postoperative LHF (day 0) did not have a higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (15 versus 21.5) or infection prevalence rate (17% versus 34%), whereas those with later onset LHF had a significantly higher MELD score (25.5 versus 17, P = 0.01) and infection prevalence rate (71% versus 0%, P = 0.002). Mortality was 45% in cases versus 0% in controls (P = 0.004), and the 11 cases who survived recovered from LHF. In conclusion, LHF after LT carries a high mortality risk and may have different causes. Except for immediate postoperative cases, an infection and an elevated MELD score appear to be determinant.