Hepatic dysfunction and survival after orthotopic heart transplantation: application of the MELD scoring system for outcome prediction.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The prevalence of heart failure (HF) is rising and the only corrective treatment is cardiac transplantation. Advanced HF is associated with congestive hepatopathy and progressive functional and ultrastructural changes of the liver. We hypothesized that hepatic dysfunction is associated with impaired clinical outcome after heart transplantation.

Methods

Data of 617 adult patients (75% men, mean age 53 ± 12 years, mean BMI 25 ± 4, mean ejection fraction 19 ± 9%) undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) were analyzed retrospectively. Deviation from institutional normal ranges was used to define abnormal liver function. Standard Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores were calculated and a modified MELD score with albumin replacing INR (modMELD) was c

SUBMITTER: Chokshi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3358427 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature