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CLINICAL RESEARCH: HEART FAILURE

Post-Heart Transplant Diastolic Dysfunction Is a Risk Factor for Mortality

José A. Tallaj, MD^_*,,_*, James K. Kirklin, MD, Robert N. Brown, BS, Barry K. Rayburn, MD^_*, Robert C. Bourge, MD^_*, Raymond L. Benza, MD^_*, Laura Pinderski, MD, PhD^_*,, Salpy Pamboukian, MD^_*, David C. McGiffin, MD and David C. Naftel, PhD

^_* Department of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
Department of Medicine, Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama.

Manuscript received August 21, 2006; revised manuscript received May 18, 2007, accepted June 4, 2007.

^_* Reprint requests and correspondence: Dr. José A. Tallaj, University of Alabama at Birmingham, THT 338, 1900 University Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama 35294. (Email: jtallaj{at}uab.edu).

Objectives: 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.

Abbreviations and Acronyms   DD = diastolic dysfunction   LV = left ventricular   PCWP = pulmonary capillary wedge pressure   RAP = right atrial pressure   RV = right ventricular   SV = stroke volume

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