A First Diastolic Function Evaluation in the Personalized Exercise Prescription Program for Solid Organs Transplanted...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Transplant Medicine
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Solid organ transplant recipients (OTR) are at high risk for cardiovascular diseases.
• Personalized exercise programs are being explored to mitigate this risk.
• Left atrial (LA) strain is an emerging parameter for assessing diastolic function, particularly in patients with preserved ejection fraction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the contribution of LA strain in assessing diastolic function in OTR.
• To explore the potential role of LA strain in exercise program development for OTR.

Main Methods:

• Echocardiographic analysis of 54 solid OTR (liver and kidney) and 44 healthy subjects (HS).
• Measured parameters included left ventricle systolic function (EF), diastolic function (E/A, E/E'), LA volumes, LA peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS), and LA peak atrial contraction strain (PACS).
• OTR participants were engaged in a 12-month moderate-intensity exercise program.

Main Results:

• OTR exhibited overweight conditions (BMI 25.79 ± 2.92 vs. HS 22.25 ± 2.95).
• Both groups had preserved systolic function (EF), but OTR showed significantly different diastolic parameters (E/A, E/E') compared to HS.
• LA strain (PALS and PACS) was significantly lower in OTR compared to HS, with correlations observed between LA strain and BMI.

Conclusions:

• Asymptomatic OTR with increased body weight may experience exacerbated impairment in LA strain.
• LA strain assessment can aid in developing personalized exercise programs for OTRs, especially those with cardiovascular risk.
• Further research with larger studies is needed to validate LA strain's role in a clinical score for OTR management.