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[Dermatologic complications after heart transplantation: incidence and prognosis]
A Freire-Ruaño1, M G Crespo-Leiro, J Muñiz
1Programa de Trasplante Cardíaco, Hospital Juan Canalejo, La Coruña.
Insights
Skin infections are the most common cutaneous complications in heart transplant recipients. Squamous cell carcinoma incidence was low with good prognosis in this study.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Transplantation Medicine
- Oncology
Background:
- Cutaneous complications (CC) are frequent in heart transplant recipients (HTR).
- Understanding CC types, incidence, and risk factors is crucial for HTR management.
- This study investigates CC in a cohort of HTR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the types and incidence of cutaneous complications in heart transplant recipients.
- To identify predisposing factors and evaluate the prognosis of these complications.
- To provide insights into managing skin conditions post-heart transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 192 heart transplant recipients with survival exceeding 1 month.
- Data collected included patient demographics, post-transplant conditions, medication, and documented cutaneous complications.
- Analysis focused on the types, frequency, and potential contributing factors of CC.
Main Results:
- 163 cutaneous complications were identified in 93 patients.
- Infectious complications (70.5%) were most common, particularly viral (herpes zoster) and fungal (pityriasis versicolor) infections.
- Tumors accounted for 12.3%, with 3 malignant cases (2 squamous cell carcinomas, 1 Kaposi sarcoma); none impacted mortality or hospital stay.
Conclusions:
- Skin infections represent the most frequent cutaneous complications in this heart transplant recipient cohort.
- Squamous cell carcinoma occurred infrequently with a favorable prognosis due to early detection and treatment.
- No significant relationship was found between CC and the studied variables.
Background:
This study was conducted to analyze the type, incidence, predisposing factors and prognosis of cutaneous complications (CC) occurring in heart transplant recipients (HTR).
Patients And Methods:
A retrospective study was carried out among 192 HTR with a survival > 1 month. The following variables were recorded: age, sex, place of residence, post-transplant diabetes, glucocorticoid dose, prophylaxis with acyclovir/itraconazole and CC.
Results:
One hundred sixty three CC were diagnosed in 93 patients. The major types were infectious complications (n = 115; 70.5%) and tumors (n = 20; 12.3%). The most common infections were viral (herpes zoster; n = 22) and fungal (pityriasis versicolor; n = 53). Out the 20 tumors, 3 were malignant: 2 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and 1 Kaposi sarcoma. None of the CC caused mortality or prolonged hospital stay. No relationship was found between CC and the variables studied.
Conclusions:
Skin infections were the most common CC in this cohort of HTR. The incidence of SCC was very low and its prognosis was good due to early diagnosis and surgical excision.