Post lung transplant (LTx) changes in mean blood pressure (BP) and BP load: a longitudinal pilot study

transplant candidates and recipients. Methods: Data were collected from 104 female heart transplant candidates (n 54) and recipients (n 50) from a major heart transplant facility using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Control Attitude Scale. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample. Analysis of variance was used to compare measures of QOL and psychological adjustment to illness between the two groups of women. Results: Female heart transplant candidates and recipients had similar demographic characteristics (age, 56.79 12.19 vs. 54.66 12.98 years; predominantly Caucasian, 70.4% vs. 70%; and married, 50% vs. 48%). Candidates were on the waiting list on average, 2.59 1.99 years prior to study participation, while recipients had received their transplant 5.18 4.41 years prior to data collection. The women in the two groups were significantly different on clinical and functional characteristics, physical and emotional QOL ratings, depression scores, and perceived control over illness with the transplant recipients reporting better scores in all domains (table).