Cardiac allograft arteriopathy: an ischemic burden of a different sort.

As heart transplant recipients live longer, an accelerated and distinct form of coronary artery disease develops that adversely affects survival. Indeed, cardiac allograft arteriopathy may be detected in as many as 90% of heart transplant recipients after 5 years. The precise incidence is not easily determined because the disease can be difficult to recognize when noninvasive tests are used; even angiography has substantive limitations. The distinct characteristics of this type of coronary artery disease result in a different form of chronic ischemic syndrome. The angiographic hallmark of allograft arteriopathy is an extensive, diffuse, obliterative process that primarily involves distal, small, subendocardial arteries. Endothelial injury seems to trigger the disease process. The arteriopathy is likely immunologically mediated and promoted or exacerbated by traditional atherosclerotic disease risk factors. Viral infection may be involved as well. To gain a better understanding of allograft arteriopathy, it is worthwhile to review its incidence, pathophysiology, prognosis, prevention, and treatment.