Role of cytomegalovirus infection in the development of coronary artery disease in the transplanted heart.

In 14 patients (group A) graft arteriosclerosis was diagnosed by means of coronary angiography. In 24 patient (group B) the coronary vessels showed no pathologic findings. In 10 patients (71%) of group A serologic study showed evidence of cytomegalovirus infection, whereas only five patients (24%) of group B revealed cytomegalovirus infection. In two further patients of this group herpes zoster infection occurred (p<0.001). Cytomegalovirus infection seems to be an important factor in the development of accelerated graft arteriosclerosis in the transplanted heart