cardiac transplant vasculopathy

Full Definition

Cardiac transplant vasculopathy is a unique form of coronary artery disease that affects heart transplant recipients. Unlike typical atherosclerosis, it presents as diffuse, concentric intimal thickening throughout the coronary tree. The condition is thought to result from chronic immune-mediated injury and is a major cause of late graft failure. Diagnosis is challenging as patients typically do not experience angina due to cardiac denervation.

Usage

Usage note: Note the distinction from cardiac allograft vasculopathy, which is the preferred current terminology.

In Context

• "The endomyocardial biopsy showed no evidence of rejection, but cardiac transplant vasculopathy was suspected." — Pathology consultation
• "Histological examination revealed the characteristic diffuse intimal thickening of cardiac transplant vasculopathy." — Autopsy report