Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a risk factor for atherosclerosis in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Our aim was to investigate the effects of CMV infection on atherosclerotic events (AEs) in RTRs. We included 200 renal transplant recipients (52 female, 148 male; aged, 36.18 ± 10.23 years). Following data were retrospectively analyzed as possible risk factors for AE: Demographic features, dialysis duration, presence of diabetes mellitus, blood pressure, body mass index, lipid profile, and medications used. CMV infection was determined in 23% of RTRs who were treated with ganciclovir during the first 2 years after transplantation, and these patients were followed for 4 years. All patients were accepted as having AE as evidenced by previous myocardial infarction, angina, revascularization procedures, intermittent claudication, stroke, or transient ischemic attack. In 13% of RTRs, AEs occurred during follow-up, and CMV infection was more frequent in these patients compared with patients without AE (21% versus 9%). Mean age and CMV infection were found to be independent risk factors for AEs (P = .02, OR = 5.6, CI = 1.3-24.6; and P = .01, OR = 1.3, CI = 1.3-12.3, respectively). This study demonstrates that presence of CMV infection can be triggering factor for AEs in RTRs.