Abstract

Introduction: With the availability of pangenotypic direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for facile, curative treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, HCV-viremic donors are utilized regularly to partially address the shortage of suitable organs for heart transplant (HT). This multi-center, retrospective registry characterized HT outcomes from HCV-positive donors. Methods: Of 138 isolated HT recipients from 8 sites across the US, the most common DAAs were the pangenotypic antiviral combinations sofosbuvir-velpatasvir (SOF/VEL, n=39) and glecaprevir-pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB, n=76); these 115 cases were analyzed in terms of primary graft dysfunction (PGD), episodes of rejection ≥ pAMR1 and/or Grade 2R, post-transplant infection, sustained virologic response at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12), and survival up to 1 year. Results: Comparing these two most common pangenotypic regimens, HT recipients differed in their listing status (p<0.001), hospital stay length (p=0.04), time until HCV+ (p=0.01), DAA payor (p=0.01), induction therapy (p=0.03) and statin therapy (p=0.01). A concurrent open-label trial accounted for up to 13/39 SOF/VEL patients, partially accounting for differences in DAA payor. Despite potential interactions, statin and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy typically continued uninterrupted with minimal dose adjustment. Both treatment groups showed 100% cure (SVR12) of donor-derived HCV. Although not powered for comparative effectiveness of DAA agents, there were no significant differences in study outcomes. SOF/VEL and GLE/PIB-treated patients demonstrated 97% and 96% survival at 1 year, respectively. Conclusions: As utilized to achieve cure of HT donor-derived HCV, two pangenotypic DAA regimens are safe and feasible, with coverage accessed across a variety of DAA payors. SVR12 can be achieved often without major modifications to PPIs or statins with either pangenotypic DAA regimen (with pravastatin most commonly utilized).

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call