Cardiac diseases among liver transplant candidates

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Transplant Surgery
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Improved early survival in liver transplant (LT) recipients enables selection of candidates with complex comorbidities.
• Cardiovascular disease is a significant factor in post-LT complications and mortality.
• Current preoperative cardiac assessment guidelines for LT candidates are limited, particularly outside of pulmonary hypertension.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify common causes of cardiac disease in the liver transplant population.
• To review diagnostic techniques for cardiac conditions in LT candidates.
• To describe perioperative management strategies for cardiac disease in LT recipients.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search for studies on cardiac disease in liver transplant recipients.
• Analysis of identified causes, diagnostic modalities, and management strategies.
• Development of a recommended algorithm for preoperative cardiac evaluation.

Main Results:

• Cardiovascular disease is a prevalent comorbidity impacting liver transplant outcomes.
• Various diagnostic tools are available for assessing cardiac function and disease.
• Perioperative management requires careful consideration of cardiac status.

Conclusions:

• A systematic preoperative cardiac work-up is crucial for liver transplant candidates.
• The proposed algorithm aims to standardize cardiac assessment, improving patient selection and outcomes.
• Further research may refine guidelines for managing cardiovascular disease in this population.