Role of dietary intervention and nutritional follow-up in heart transplant recipients.
BACKGROUND
Obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are common features after heart transplantation and they lead to coronary artery disease and graft loss.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of a dietary intervention on nutritional status and metabolic outcome of two groups enrolled during or after the first year from the transplant.


METHODS
Forty two subjects (mean age 51.36+/-12.4 yr) were studied; 20 were enrolled during the first year by the transplant, 22 were enrolled after the first year from the transplant (7.9+/-3.86 and 56.86+/-38.6 months after surgery, respectively). According to diet compliance both groups were divided into two subgroups and they were prospectively followed for 4 years. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical nutritional markers, and dietary records were collected at baseline (T0) and after a 12-month follow-up period (T12) and a 48-month follow-up period (T48). Body composition was performed at T0 and T12.


RESULTS
Diet compliance was associated with a decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose plasma level and with a weight loss mainly due to a decrease in fat mass.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study shows the efficacy of dietary intervention to obtain an early and late weight and metabolic control after heart transplant.
Guida
Bruna
B
Department of Neuroscience, Physiology Nutrition Unit, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy. bguida@unina.it
Perrino
Nunzia Ruggiero
NR
Laccetti
Roberta
R
Trio
Rossella
R
Nastasi
Annamaria
A
Pesola
Domenica
D
Maiello
Ciro
C
Marra
Claudio
C
De Santo
Luca Salvatore
LS
Cotrufo
Maurizio
M
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D015431:Weight Loss
D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol