Time-dependent changes in cardiac growth after kidney transplantation: the impact of pre-dialysis ventricular mass.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD), including kidney transplant recipients. However, time-related left ventricular mass changes (DeltaLVM) from pre-dialysis stage to beyond the first post-transplant year have not been clearly identified.

Methods: We studied a cohort of 60 stages 4-5 CKD patients without overt cardiac disease, who underwent three echocardiograms during follow-up: at pre-dialysis stage, on dialysis and after kidney transplantation (KT). Multiple linear regression was used to model DeltaLVM from baseline study. Cox proportional analysis was used to determine risk factors associated with either de novo LVH or>20% DeltaLVMI over time.

Results: Patients with baseline LVH (n=37; 61%) had a higher body mass index (BMI) than those without LVH (n=23; 39%) (P=0.013). BMI, haemoglobin levels (P=0.047) and non-use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) (P=0.057) were associated with baseline left ventricular mass index (LVMI). Twelve out of 23 patients (52%) with normal LVM at baseline, developed either de novo LVH or>20% DeltaLVMI at follow-up. On the other hand, 29 (78%) of those with initial LVH maintained this abnormality, and 8 (22%) normalized LVM post-transplantation. Factors associated with DeltaLVMI were age (P=0.01), pre-dialysis LVMI (P<0.0001), serum creatinine (P=0.012) and the use of ACEI post-transplantation (P=0.009). In Cox analysis, pre-dialysis LVMI was associated with de novo LVH or>20% DeltaLVMI over time (hazard ratio 1.009; 95% confidence interval 1.004 to 1.015; P=0.001).

Conclusions: Successful KT may not completely normalize LVM post-transplantation. Pre-dialysis LVMI, traditional risk factors and no use of ACEI may perpetuate cardiac growth following KT.