Warm ischemia time and elevated serum uric acid are associated with metabolic syndrome after liver transplantation with donation after cardiac death.

Aim: To describe the prevalence of posttransplant metabolic syndrome (PTMS) after donation after cardiac death (DCD) liver transplantation (LT) and the pre- and postoperative risk factors.

Methods: One hundred and forty-seven subjects who underwent DCD LT from January 2012 to February 2016 were enrolled in this study. The demographics and the clinical characteristics of pre- and post-transplantation were collected for both recipients and donors. PTMS was defined according to the 2004 Adult Treatment Panel-III criteria. All subjects were followed monthly for the initial 6 mo after discharge, and then, every 3 mo for 2 years. The subjects were followed every 6 mo or as required after 2 years post-LT.

Results: The prevalence of PTMS after DCD donor orthotopic LT was 20/147 (13.6%). Recipient's body mass index ( = 0.024), warm ischemia time (WIT) ( = 0.045), and posttransplant hyperuricemia ( = 0.001) were significantly associated with PTMS. The change in serum uric acid levels in PTMS patients was significantly higher than that in non-PTMS patients ( < 0.001). After the 1 mo, the level of serum uric acid of PTMS patients rose continually over a period, while it was unaltered in non-PTMS patients. After transplantation, the level of serum uric acid in PTMS patients was not associated with renal function.

Conclusion: PTMS could occur at early stage after DCD LT with growing morbidity with the passage of time. WIT and post-LT hyperuricemia are associated with the prevalence of PTMS. An increased serum uric acid level is highly associated with PTMS and could act as a serum marker in this disease.