Liver transplantation does not prevent the development of life-threatening arrhythmia in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, Portuguese-type (ATTR Val30Met) patients.
BACKGROUND
Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is today the only available treatment to halt the progress of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP). Because heart arrhythmia and conduction disturbances are well-known manifestations of FAP, the aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and development of heart conduction and rhythm disturbances in Swedish FAP patients who underwent liver transplantation.


METHODS
Ambulatory 24-hour electrocardiography (ECG) recordings (Holter-ECGs) were available from 30 patients, who had been investigated before and reexamined after OLT. RESULTS.: The number of patients with abnormalities on their ECG recordings increased after OLT. Four patients developed serious arrhythmia after transplantation that necessitated the insertion of a pacemaker 40 months or longer after OLT.


CONCLUSIONS
The development of cardiac conduction disturbances and arrhythmias appear not to be halted by liver transplantation, indicating that the physician should be aware of the potential risk for FAP patients receiving transplants to develop fatal arrhythmia. The follow-up after liver transplantation should include Holter-ECG recordings.
Hörnsten
Rolf
R
Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Clinical Physiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Wiklund
Urban
U
Olofsson
Bert-Ove
BO
Jensen
Steen M
SM
Suhr
Ole B
OB
D000328:Adult; D028227:Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000601:surgery*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017354:Point Mutation; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000235:genetics; D013548:Sweden
D011228:Prealbumin