Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026
New Thrombectomy Technique for Total Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation
Published on: June 27, 2025
Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is increased post-liver transplantation even in recipients with no
Laura De Luca1, Maria Kalafateli1, Simone Bianchi1
1UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health and Sheila Sherlock Liver Unit, Royal Free Hospital and UCL, London, UK.
Insights
Post-liver transplant patients face increased cardiovascular risks, with metabolic syndrome developing in 22.4%. Key predictors include pre-existing heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension, highlighting the need for proactive management.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Cardiology
- Transplant Surgery
Background:
- Post-liver transplant (LT) metabolic syndrome (PTMS) and cardiovascular (CVS) mortality are rising concerns.
- Improved LT survival rates have led to a greater focus on long-term post-transplant complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of PTMS and CVS complications in LT recipients.
- To identify independent predictors of PTMS and CVS events after liver transplantation.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 928 LT recipients with at least 1-year survival or death due to CVS complications was reviewed.
- Prospectively collected data from 1995-2013 were analyzed, with a median follow-up of 85 months.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of PTMS was 22.4%, with 19.7% developing de novo.
- 20.2% of patients experienced at least one CVS event post-LT.
- Independent predictors for CVS events included pre-LT CVS disease, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and creatinine levels at 1 year.
Conclusions:
- LT recipients are at elevated risk for CVS morbidity, even without prior metabolic syndrome components.
- Strategies such as renal-sparing immunosuppressive protocols may help mitigate post-LT CVS events.
Background/Aims:
Post-liver transplant (LT) metabolic syndrome (PTMS) and cardiovascular (CVS) mortality are becoming increasingly prevalent following sustained improvements in post-LT survival. We investigated the prevalence and predictors of PTMS and CVS complications in a cohort of consecutive LT recipients.
Methods:
We reviewed prospectively collected data of patients (n = 928) who underwent LT (1995-2013) and survived at least 1-year post-LT or died before that due to a major CVS complication.
Results:
Median follow-up was 85 months (IQR = 106). The prevalence of PTMS was 22.4% and it developed de novo in 183 recipients (19.7%). A total of 187 (20.2%) patients developed at least one CVS event post-LT within a median of 49 months (IQR = 85). Overall mortality rate was 22.6% (n = 210). Causes of death were CVS events (n = 45, 21.4%), malignancies (21%), liver-related deaths (20%) and infections (6.7%). Independent predictors of major CVS events were: documented CVS disease pre-LT (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 3.330; 95% CI = 1.620-6.840), DM (HR = 1.120; 95% CI 1.030-1.220), hypertension (HR = 1.140; 95% CI 1.030-1.270), dyslipidaemia (HR = 1.140; 95% CI 1.050-1.240) and creatinine levels at 1 year (HR = 1.010; 95% CI = 1.005-1.013). Among LT recipients without pre-LT CVS disease or MS components (n = 432), 85 recipients developed ≥1 CVS events (19.7%) with independent predictors being DM (HR = 1.150; 95% CI = 1.010-1.320), creatinine levels at 1 year (HR = 1.020; 95% CI = 1.010-1.030) and hypertension (HR = 1.190; 95% CI = 1.040-1.360).
Conclusions:
Post-LT patients are at increased risk of CVS morbidity even in the absence of pre-existing metabolic risk factors. Renal sparing immunosuppressive protocols might reduce CVS events post-LT.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:28Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management
02:35Transcription Elongation Factors
The transcription elongation is regulated via pausing of RNA polymerase on several occasions during transcription. In bacteria, these halts are necessary because the transcription of DNA into mRNA is coupled to the translation of that mRNA...
02:01pre-mRNA Processing
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a “cap” to the 5’ end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5’ phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached to it (7-Methyl...
02:16Transcription Factors
01:14Overview of the Cardiovascular System
Heart
The heart is the central pump of the cardiovascular system that circulates blood throughout the body. It comprises two atria receiving the blood and two ventricles pumping blood out of the heart. Their rhythmic contractions, called heartbeats, ensure that blood flow remains continuous.
Blood Vessels
Blood...