Cardiovascular risk, atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome after liver transplantation: a mini review

Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013 May;7(4):361-4. doi: 10.1586/egh.13.19.

Abstract

Liver transplantation is the standard of care for acute and chronic end-stage liver disease. Advances in medical therapy and surgical techniques have transformed the long-term survival of liver-transplant (LT) recipients. The prevalence of post-transplant cardiovascular complications has been rising with increased life expectancy after liver transplantation. Currently, deaths related to cardiovascular complications are one of the main causes of long-term mortality in LT recipients, as cardiovascular disease is the reason of 19-42% of non-liver-related mortality after transplant. On the other hand, metabolic syndrome is common among LT recipients before and after transplantation. In fact, their components (abdominal obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia) are often exacerbated by transplant-specific factors, such as immunosuppression, inappropriate diet, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle, and add a significant risk of developing atherosclerosis. These aspects are discussed in this article.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Atherosclerosis / etiology*
  • Atherosclerosis / mortality
  • Atherosclerosis / prevention & control
  • Cardiovascular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Liver Transplantation / mortality
  • Metabolic Syndrome / etiology*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / mortality
  • Metabolic Syndrome / prevention & control
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Survivors
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Cardiovascular Agents