Allograft transmission of hepatitis C virus infection from infected donors in cardiac transplantation.

Background: The frequency and outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in recipients of hearts from HCV-infected donors remains poorly characterized.

Methods: Between 1991 and 1999, 10 anti-HCV-negative patients received hearts from donors who were anti-HCV and HCV RNA-positive. Each recipient was tested for anti-HCV and HCV RNA and serially evaluated for liver dysfunction.