Dynamic LVEF Decline and Serum NT-proBNP and Uric Acid Levels before Heart Transplantation are Independent Predictors of Adverse Outcomes in Young Adult Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Background: The present study investigated the predictors of adverse outcomes in young adult patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) who underwent heart transplantation (HTx).

Methods: Twenty-four young adult patients (aged 18-45 years) with DCM who underwent HTx in our hospital from January 2012 to December 2022 were included in this retrospective analysis. Pre- and post-HTx data were collected for echocardiography, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and uric acid (UA). Data collected at the time of DCM diagnosis were designated as baseline data. Post-HTx assessments were conducted at 1 week and 3, 6, 12, and 36 months post-HTx. The primary endpoint was defined as any adverse event, including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 50% (n = 3), 50% increase in right or left ventricular diameter (n = 12), or death (n = 2). Patients were categorized into a non-adverse-event group (n = 12) or an adverse-event group (n = 12).

Results: Baseline NT-proBNP ( = 0.014) and UA ( = 0.012) were significantly higher in the adverse-event group than in the non-adverse-event group. Baseline NT-proBNP 7390 pg/mL (relative risk (RR) = 7.412, = 0.046), UA 542 µmol/L (RR = 8.838, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.541-50.694, = 0.014), and sustained reduction in LVEF ( 3%) over a 2-year pharmacological treatment prior to HTx (RR = 3.252, = 0.046) were significantly associated with an increased risk of adverse events post-HTx.

Conclusions: In young adult DCM patients post-HTx, heightened baseline levels of NT-proBNP and UA levels and a sustained reduction in LVEF over time prior to undergoing an HTx are significantly associated with an increased risk of adverse events post-HTx. Future studies are needed to observe whether individualized monitoring strategies could reduce the incidence of adverse events following HTx in these patients.