Post-heart transplant diastolic dysfunction is a risk factor for mortality.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and prognostic implication of diastolic dysfunction (DD) occurring in the first year after transplant.


BACKGROUND
Diastolic dysfunction is a recognized complication in heart transplant recipients, but its true incidence and natural history has been poorly characterized. We studied the prognostic implication of DD, as defined by elevated filling pressures with normal systolic function, occurring in the first year after transplant.


METHODS
Between June 1992 and June 2002, all patients who underwent heart transplantation at a single institution were included in the study (231 at 6 weeks and 250 at 6 months and 1 year). Diastolic dysfunction was defined as right atrial pressure (RAP) >/=15 mm Hg (right ventricular [RV] DD) or pulmonary capillary wedge pressure >/=18 mm Hg (left ventricular [LV] DD) with normal systolic function by echocardiogram and without severe mitral or tricuspid insufficiency. In addition, RV DD was defined by a RAP/stroke volume (SV) ratio.


RESULTS
The incidence of DD was 22%, 8%, and 12% at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year, respectively. The incidence of LV DD was more frequent than that of RV DD at any time point (p < 0.0001). By multivariable analysis RV DD, as manifested by an elevated RAP/SV, but not LV DD was a strong predictor of cardiac mortality at all time points.


CONCLUSIONS
Diastolic dysfunction is common early after transplant, and its incidence decreases during the first year. Right ventricular DD, as measured by an elevated RAP/SV ratio, but not LV DD is a strong predictor of cardiac mortality. Further studies are needed to evaluate the functional status of patients with RV or LV DD and whether aggressive medical therapy for early DD could alter outcome.
Tallaj
José A
JA
Department of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; Department of Medicine, Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama, USA. jtallaj@uab.edu
Kirklin
James K
JK
Brown
Robert N
RN
Rayburn
Barry K
BK
Bourge
Robert C
RC
Benza
Raymond L
RL
Pinderski
Laura
L
Pamboukian
Salpy
S
McGiffin
David C
DC
Naftel
David C
DC
D000328:Adult; D003971:Diastole / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018497:Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology