Pericardial effusions after cardiac transplantation

The aim of this study was to determine the etiologic factors in the formation of significant pericardial effusion after orthotopic heart transplantation and to determine the association of pericardial effusion with survival.

The formation of pericardial effusions has been well described after orthotopic heart transplantation, but the risk factors for development of effusions remain unclear. Rejection and cyclosporine have been cited as possible causes, but anatomic factors have not been studied.

We conducted a retrospective review of medical records and echocardiograms of 203 consecutive patients at one center, including ischemic time, incidence and severity of rejection, weight difference between donor and recipient and previous cardiac surgical history. Multivariate analysis was performed, and actuarial survival rate curves were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method.

Eighteen (8.9%) of 203 transplant recipients developed moderate to large pericardial effusions. Forty-four percent of patients required pericardiocentesis, and 28% subsequently required pericardiectomy for management of the effusions. Multivariate analysis identified the presence of a positive weight difference between recipient and donor (recipient weight > donor weight) and the lack of previous median sternotomy as the most powerful predictors of effusion formation. No significant association was found with rejection. There was no difference in actuarial survival rate between patients with and without effusions.

A positive mismatch in weight between recipient and donor and the absence of previous cardiac surgery are associated with the formation of significant pericardial effusions. Closer monitoring of these patients at risk may be warranted.