Early and late hemodynamic evaluation after cardiac transplantation: a study of 28 cases

Right heart catheterization was performed in 28 patients 1 week and 6 to 24 months after orthotopic cardiac transplantation. All patients were receiving cyclosporine and methylprednisolone orally. At early catheterization, right heart pressures as well as pulmonary capillary wedge pressure still remained above normal values in the majority of patients. Systemic arterial hypertension was already present in 29% of the patients and cardiac index was usually in the normal range, without any inotropic support. Results of late catheterization showed continuing improvement with return of right heart pressures to normal values in most but not all patients. Systemic arterial hypertension was noted in nearly all patients and is likely to be the result of hypervolemia secondary to cyclosporine-induced sodium retention. The increase in cardiac index, which was above normal values in 39% of the patients, was also consistent with hypervolemia in the setting of cardiac denervation. Thus, cardiac function at rest is satisfactory at short- and long-term assessment after cardiac transplantation, but the development and persistence of systemic arterial hypertension associated with cyclosporine use are a matter of concern in such patients.