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Published on: May 17, 2015
Adiponectin and graft vascular disease after cardiac transplantation
S Gómez Moreno1, E Lage Gallé, A Caro
1Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain. silviagomezmoreno@gmail.com
Insights
Adiponectin levels did not predict graft vascular disease (GVD) in heart transplant recipients. However, GVD was linked to more serious cardiac events and longer time to diagnosis, with higher adiponectin in women.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplantation Immunology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Graft vascular disease (GVD) is accelerated atherosclerosis affecting over 40% of heart transplant recipients within 5 years.
- Adiponectin concentration is a potential prognostic factor for coronary atherosclerosis progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between adiponectin concentration and the development of GVD in cardiac transplant recipients.
Main Methods:
- 52 cardiac transplant recipients were analyzed.
- Patients were stratified into groups based on intravascular ultrasound and coronary angiography findings for GVD presence.
- Adiponectin levels were measured and compared between groups.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in adiponectin concentration was found between patients with and without GVD.
- Higher adiponectin concentrations were observed in women (P=.002).
- Serious cardiac events were more frequent in patients with GVD (P=.001).
- A significant difference in time to GVD diagnosis was noted between groups without and with GVD (P=.030).
Conclusions:
- Adiponectin concentration does not appear to be a predictor of GVD development in cardiac transplant recipients.
- GVD is associated with increased cardiac events and a longer time from transplant to diagnosis.
- Sex influences adiponectin levels, with higher concentrations in women.
Abstract:
Graft vascular disease (GVD) is a form of accelerated atherosclerosis that involves the transplanted heart, affecting more than 40% of patients after follow-up of 5 years. According to some authors, adiponectin concentration is a prognostic factor for progression of coronary atherosclerosis. Following this line of research, the objective of the present study was to analyze the relationship between adiponectin concentration and development of GVD in 52 cardiac transplant recipients. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to findings at intravascular ultrasound: group 1 with 21 patients without GVD, and group 2 with 31 patients with GVD. Patients with GVD were further divided into 2 additional groups according to results of coronary angiography: group 3 with 35 patients without GVD, and group 4 with 17 patients with any degree of GVD. No significant differences (P=.50) were observed insofar as adiponectin concentration between groups 1 and 2, and groups 3 and 4. Significant differences in adiponectin concentration were observed when the sex of the patient was considered (P=.002), with higher concentrations detected in women. Serious cardiac events were more common in patients with GVD (P=.001). Mean time between transplantation and diagnosis of GVD was 67 months in group 1, 107 months in group 2, 71 months in group 3, and 101 months in group 4. Significant differences were observed between groups 1 and 2 (P=.030).