Reversible non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular dysfunction after liver transplantation: a single-centre experience

• Published in: Liver international 2014-07, Vol.34 (6), p.e105-e110
• Main Authors: Yataco, Maria L., Difato, Thomas, Bargehr, Johannes, Rosser, Barry G., Patel, Tushar, Trejo-Gutierrez, Jorge F., Pungpapong, Surakit, Taner, C. Burcin, Aranda-Michel, Jaime
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Cardiomyopathies - diagnosis; Cardiomyopathies - etiology; cardiomyopathy; cardiovascular complications; cirrhosis; Critical Illness; Female; Florida; heart failure; Humans; Liver Diseases - complications; Liver Diseases - diagnosis; Liver Diseases - surgery; liver transplant; Liver Transplantation - adverse effects; Male; Malnutrition - complications; Malnutrition - diagnosis; Middle Aged; Nutritional Status; Recovery of Function; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Stroke Volume; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left - diagnosis; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left - etiology; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left - physiopathology; Ventricular Function, Left
• ISSN: 1478-3223; 1478-3231
• DOI: 10.1111/liv.12501

Background & Aims Non‐ischaemic cardiomyopathy (NIC) is an early complication of liver transplantation (LT). Our aims were to define the prevalence, associated clinical factors, and prognosis of this condition. Methods A retrospective study was performed on patients undergoing LT at our institution from January 2005 to December 2012. Patients who developed NIC were identified. Data collected included demographic and clinical data. Results A total 1460 transplants were performed in this period and seventeen patients developed NIC. Pretransplant median QTc interval was 459 (range, 405–530), and median E/A ratio was 1 (range, 0.71–1.67). Fourteen patients (82%) were severely malnourished and required nutritional support. Thirteen patients (76%) had renal insufficiency. Median time to onset was 2 days post‐transplant (range, 0–20). Echocardiograms showed global left ventricular hypokinesis and a decrease in ejection fraction (EF) from a median of 65% (range, 50–81) pretransplant to a median of 21% (range, 15–32). Median raw model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score was 29 in patients with NIC vs. 18 in patients without cardiomyopathy (P = 0.01). There was no significant difference between recipients with NIC vs. recipients without cardiomyopathy regarding donor age, donor risk index, and cold and warm ischaemia time. Recovery of cardiac function occurred in 16 patients, with a median EF of 44% (range, 25–65%) at the time of discharge. The last echocardiogram available showed a median EF of 59% (range, 49–73%). One‐year survival of NIC patients was 94.1%. Conclusion Non‐ischaemic cardiomyopathy is a rare complication after LT. Patients with NIC are critically ill, with high MELD score, and severe malnutrition.