Patent foramen ovale does not have a negative impact on early outcomes in patients undergoing liver transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the impact of the presence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients undergoing liver transplantation.


METHODS
Twenty-seven pre-liver transplant patients who had a PFO (PFO group) were identified and compared with 61 patients without PFO (NoPFO group). Patients were matched according to age, gender and cause of liver disease. The diagnosis of PFO was made by transthoracic echocardiography prior to liver transplantation. Patient baseline characteristics and complications during the early post-transplant period were analyzed.


RESULTS
The mean age in the PFO group was 47 ± 14 (range 18-68) yr and 50 ± 11 (range 12-65) yr in the NoPFO group. The PFO group had a mean model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score of 15 ± 10 whereas in the NoPFO group the MELD score was 19 ± 10 (p = 0.08). There were non-significant differences in echocardiographic parameters between groups. Duration of mechanical ventilation and the incidence of neurological complications were similar. Thirty-day mortality rate was similar in both groups; only one patient in the NoPFO group died within the first 30 days post-transplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of PFO in patients with end-stage liver disease undergoing liver transplantation does not appear to affect patient outcomes during the peri-operative period.
Cardiology and Heart Transplant, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Carolina.Alba@uhn.on.ca
Ana Carolina
AC
Alba
F
F
Verocai Flaman
J
J
Granton
D H
DH
Delgado
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D058625:End Stage Liver Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult