Role of ascorbic acid in cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

CAV remains a challenging disease process and needs better preventative strategies. Ascorbic acid improves endothelial dysfunction, reduces reactive oxygen species, and prevents development of intimal hyperplasia by preventing smooth muscle cell apoptosis and hyperproliferation. Further large-scale randomized control studies of ascorbic acid are needed to establish the role in routine post-transplant management.