Long-term changes in body weight and serum cholesterol in heart transplant recipients

Abstract

Introduction: Long-term changes in weight and blood lipids beyond 12 months after heart transplantation are largely unknown. We quantified changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), blood cholesterol, and triglycerides in heart transplant recipients (HTRs) during the 36 months after transplantation, and we assessed the influence of statin therapy on these outcomes. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of adult HTRs, transplanted 1990–2017, in Queensland, Australia. From each patient's medical charts, we extracted weight, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and statin therapy at four time-points: time of transplant (baseline), and 12-, 24-, 36-month post-transplant. Changes in weight and blood lipids were assessed according to baseline BMI. Results: Among 316 HTRs, 236 (median age 52 years, 83% males) with available information were included. During the 36 months post-transplant, all patients gained weight (83.5–90.5 kg; p < 25.0 km/m2 (67.9–76.2 kg; p