Management of long-term cardiovascular risk factors post organ transplant

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Early identification of cardiovascular risk factors and their adequate management in this population is key for prevention and improved outcomes.

Approximately 80% of SOT present one or more cardiovascular risk factors, with increasing prevalence with time posttransplantation. They are due to the interplay of pretransplant conditions and metabolic consequences of immunosuppressive agents, mainly corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors. Among the pharmacological management strategies, statins have shown an important protective effect in SOT.

Strict surveillance of cardiovascular risk factors is recommended in SOT due to their high prevalence and prognostic implications. Further studies on the best managements strategies in this population are needed.