An unusual presentation of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder mimicking vasculitis in heart transplantation

J Heart Lung Transplant. 2008 Nov;27(11):1257-61. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2008.07.029.

Abstract

This report details an unusual case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) involving the epicardial coronary arteries and myocardial arterioles of an allograft heart, morphologically mimicking vasculitis, a finding associated with acute rejection, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), infection and infarction. Recognition of this novel PTLD pattern as a potential imitator of acute rejection in particular is important because reduction of immunosuppression (to treat PTLD) is antithetical to the usual therapy for rejection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autopsy
  • Biopsy
  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Edema / etiology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Heart Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Heart Transplantation / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocarditis / surgery*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis*
  • Postoperative Complications / pathology
  • Vasculitis / diagnosis*