Cardiovascular complications following liver transplantation

As the indications for liver transplantation broaden to include older and more critically ill patients, the likelihood of encountering unsuspected cardiovascular disease increases.

This study examined the frequency, type, and subsequent outcome of intra- and postoperative cardiovascular complications that occurred during the first 6 months following liver transplantation.

The records of 146 consecutive patients who underwent primary liver transplantation were reviewed retrospectively to determine the occurrence of major (myocardial infarction or reversible ischemia, pulmonary edema, cardiogenic shock, symptomatic rhythm disturbances, or pulmonary embolism) and minor (transient hypertension, hypotension, atrial or ventricular premature beats) cardiac events. The relation between such events and actuarial patient survival was evaluated. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was also employed to identify those pre-operative variables that predicted an increased risk of postoperative events or mortality.

Cardiac events directly caused or contributed to 4 deaths (2.7%). Ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation was the most frequent intra-operative cardiac complication (3.4%); transient hypotension (post-reperfusion syndrome) was the most common minor event (20%). Thirty-four recipients (23%) developed a major postoperative cardiac complication including pulmonary edema (9%), myocardial ischemia or infarction (5.4%), new dilated cardiomyopathy (3.4%), and ventricular tachycardia (2.7%). Pre-existing cardiac disease and older age (mean age 49 +/- 8 years) at transplantation were the only independent predictors of a major complication. Major cardiac events did not affect 6 month survival but were associated with a lower 5-year survival rate (event: 32% vs event-free: 52%; p = 0.04). The frequency of major intraoperative (21% vs 2%; p = 0.0005) and postoperative (57% vs 17%; p = 0.0001) cardiac complications was significantly higher for recipients with known heart disease (Group A) compared with those without pre-existing heart disease (Group B). Five-year survival in Group A patients was 36% versus 50% for Group B patients; p = 0.45.

One or more cardiovascular complications occurred in over 70% of liver transplant recipients. Major events were associated with a lower likelihood of long-term survival. Older patients, particularly those with pre-existing but compensated heart disease, are at greatest risk for a major cardiac event and may require more extensive pre-operative risk assessment.