J Korean Soc Transplant.  1997 Nov;11(2):325-330.

Gastrointestinal Complications after Cardiac Transplantation

• Lee HK
• Lee YT
• Kim KH
• Kong SK

Abstract

Serious complications involving the alimentary tract are commonly reported following cardiac transplantation and may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Between April 1994 and April 1996, 17 patients underwent orthotopic cardiac transplantation at the Buchon Sejong General Hospital. Recipients comprised 15 males and 2 females with a mean age of 33-years old. Basic immunosuppressive therapy was accomplished with immuran and cyclosporine and prednisolone. Gastrointestinal complications developed in 10 patients(58.8%), including gastritis[n=4(23.5%)], nonspecific enteritis[n=3(17.6%)], cholecystitis[n=1(5.8%)], perianal abscess[n=1(5.8%)] and panperitonitis due to mesenteric infarction[n=1(5.8%)]. Among them three patients required surgical procedures and one is dead due to sepsis and multiple organic failure(surgical mortality:33.3%). Gastrointestinal complications in cardiac transplantation are frequent cause of postoperative morbidity and mostly step benign courses, they should be detected as soon as possible and be managed with aggressive intervention. Early, aggressive surgical intervention may reduce subsequent mortality.

Keyword

Cardiac transplantation; Gastrointestinal complication

MeSH Terms

Adult
Azathioprine
Cyclosporine
Female
Heart Transplantation*
Hospitals, General
Humans
Male
Mortality
Prednisolone
Sepsis
Azathioprine
Cyclosporine
Prednisolone