Preoperative evaluation improves the outcome in heart transplant recipients with pulmonary hypertension--retrospective analysis of 106 cases.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to retrospectively analyze the value of preoperative evaluation and to analyze the risk factors of long-term mechanical ventilation in heart transplant recipients. METHODS: We analyzed the data of 106 patients prepared to receive heart transplants. Before the operation, according to the pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and transpulmonary gradient (TPG), the patients were divided into 2 groups a pulmonary hypertension (PH) group and a pulmonary artery pressure normal (N) group. The vasodilator conditioning test as a predictive factor was performed in the PH group. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to examine the relationship between risk factors and long-term mechanical ventilation. The 30-day and long-term survival rates were followed. RESULTS: PVR and TPG significantly decreased among the PH group after intravenous infusion epoprostenol and inhalation (nitric oxide). After preoperative evaluation, 96 patients underwent heart transplantation. There were no short-term deaths related to PH. There was no significant difference in mortality between the PH group and the N group. PH, hypotension after cardiopulmonary bypass, renal dysfunction, donor heart ischemia time, and ejection fraction <25% were risk factors for long-term mechanical ventilation. PH was not related to long-term deaths. CONCLUSION: A vasodilator conditioning test was reliable for PH patients undergoing heart transplantation for preoperative evaluation and preparation.