Impact of waitlist weight change on outcomes in heart transplant recipients: a UNOS database analysis.
Publication/Presentation Date
5-1-2025
Abstract
BACKGROUND: While the effect of pre-transplant weight on patient outcomes following heart transplantation (HTx) has previously been studied, data regarding the impact of dynamic weight change prior to HTx are extremely limited.
OBJECTIVES: We sought to elucidate the interaction between HTx listing weight and weight change while waitlisted, and explore how that interaction impacts post-HTx survival in a continuous manner.
METHODS: Adult patients listed for HTx from 1987 to 2020 were identified from UNOS database. Three-dimensional restricted cubic spline analysis explored post-HTx survival relative to both changes in BMI/weight and BMI at time of HTx listing. Continuous predictor variables were analyzed with Cox proportional hazards method.
RESULTS: 9,628 included patients underwent HTx. Median recipient age was 55 [IQR 46-62] years, and 21% were females. 53% of patients lost while 47% gained weight on the waitlist. Median BMI (27.6 kg/m
CONCLUSIONS: Impact of weight change varies depending on listing BMI. While a survival benefit is seen in non-obese patients who gain some weight, significant weight loss is associated with poorer survival.
Volume
73
Issue
5
First Page
336
Last Page
342
ISSN
1863-6713
Published In/Presented At
Austin, M. A., Ahmad, D., Rosen, J. L., Weber, M. P., Rajapreyar, I., Rame, J. E., Alvarez, R. J., Entwistle, J. W., Massey, H. T., & Tchantchaleishvili, V. (2025). Impact of waitlist weight change on outcomes in heart transplant recipients: a UNOS database analysis. General thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, 73(5), 336–342. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-024-02078-y
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
39361224
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article