Faculty Collaboration Database

Cardiovascular risk factors following orthotopic liver transplantation: predisposing factors, incidence and management. Liver Int 2010 Aug;30(7):948-57

Date

05/27/2010

Pubmed ID

20500807

DOI

10.1111/j.1478-3231.2010.02274.x

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-77957143590 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   61 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation is the standard of care for acute and chronic causes of end-stage liver disease. Advances in medical therapy and surgical techniques have led to improvement of patient and graft survival rates following orthotopic liver transplantation. However, the prevalence of post-transplant cardiovascular complications has been rising with increased life expectancy after liver transplantation.

AIMS: To determine the incidences, risk factors, and treatment for hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, and obesity in the post-liver transplantation population.

METHODS: We performed a review of relevant studies available on the PubMed database that provided information on the incidence, risk factors and treatment for cardiovascular complications that develop in the post-liver transplantation population.

RESULTS: Current immunosuppressive agents have improved patient and graft survival rates. However, long-term exposure to these agents has been associated with development of systemic and metabolic complications including hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes mellitus and obesity. Cardiovascular disease remains one of the most common causes of death in liver transplant patients with functional grafts.

CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplant recipients have a higher risk of cardiovascular complications compared with the nontransplant population. Post-transplant cardiac risk stratification and aggressive treatment of cardiovascular complications, including modification of risk factors and tailoring of immunosuppressive regimen, is imperative to prevent serious complications.

Author List

Desai S, Hong JC, Saab S

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Cardiovascular Diseases
Graft Survival
Humans
Immunosuppressive Agents
Incidence
Liver Transplantation
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome