Evaluation of Liver Graft Recipient Workup in Predicting of Early Cardiovascular Events During Liver Transplantation: A Single-Center Experience

Abstract Background Cardiovascular events (CVE) contribute to serious complications and death after liver transplantation (LT). Troponin I (TnI) level >0.07 mg/L and prior cardiac disease are known to be the independent predictors for posttransplant CVE. We evaluated single-center cardiac workup to predict early cardiovascular morbidity and mortality after LT. Patients and methods We recruited 105 consecutive liver transplant recipients (male/female, 59/46; mean age, 51.66 ± 11.67 years). The cardiological assessment at evaluation for LT included medical history, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, Holter monitoring, and exercise test. We collected data regarding CVE including hypotonia with catecholamine usage, arrhythmia, sudden cardiac death, pulmonary edema, and myocardial infarction within 7 days after LT. Results CVE during LT occurred in 42 recipients (40%) and after LT in 9 patients (8.57%). Proposed cutoff level of TnI >0.07 mg/L did not correlate with CVE during operation ( P  = .73) or after LT ( P  = .47). CVE during LT was associated with arterial hypertension in medical history ( P  P P = .04), Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) ( P = .04), MELD incorporating serum sodium ( P P  = .01). CVE after LT correlated only with arrhythmia ( P P  P  Conclusion The single-center algorithm with noninvasive cardiac procedures without TnI assessment is optimal in evaluation before LT; however, medical history and severity of the liver disease are crucial for short-term cardiovascular morbidity after LT.