Lipid-lowering therapies to target cardiac allograft vasculopathy after heart transplantation: Current evidence and future directions

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2026

Publication Title

J Clin Lipidol

Keywords

Humans, Heart Transplantation, Allografts, Hypolipidemic Agents, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Heart transplantation represents an increasingly utilized procedure for end-stage heart failure patients.

CURRENT EVIDENCE: Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a post-transplant complication of pathological vasculature remodeling and remains an important cause for long-term graft failure and mortality. Current preventive strategies for CAV include optimization of vascular risk factors and pharmacotherapy with statins and immunosuppressants.

CONCLUSION: Despite demonstrated post-transplant mortality benefit and reduction in CAV with statins, the role of other pharmacotherapies on CAV reduction through low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering remains less established. This review explores established evidence as well as evolving pathways for LDL-C lowering strategies to prevent CAV.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Heart Transplantation; Allografts; Hypolipidemic Agents; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

PubMed ID

41494936

Volume

20

Issue

2

First Page

262

Last Page

269

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