Key result
Post-transplantation time over three years is linked to ~195% greater total R-R interval power.
Why the study?
The effects of post-transplantation time, graft arteriosclerosis, allograft rejection, and earlier cytomegalovirus infection on neural regulatory mechanisms of the donor heart in cardiac transplant patients were unclear.
Does post-transplantation time or presence of complications affect heart rate variability in cardiac transplant recipients?
Population
38 consecutive cardiac transplant recipients attending annual clinical examination in Finland
Comparison
Post-transplantation time (<3 years vs ≥3 years) and presence/absence of graft arteriosclerosis, allograft rejection, and cytomegalovirus infection
Design
Observational study of consecutive patients at a university hospital
Authors
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Suggests time-dependent autonomic recovery after heart transplant; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation.
Observational (n=38)
No
Does post-transplantation time or presence of complications affect heart rate variability in cardiac transplant recipients?
Absolute Event Rate: 59% vs 20%
p-value: p=0.02
Donor heart rate variability increases with post-transplantation time but is not affected by graft arteriosclerosis, rejection, or prior cytomegalovirus infection.
Koskinen et al. (1996) conducted an observational in Cardiac transplant (n=38). Post-transplantation time ≥3 years vs. Post-transplantation time <3 years was evaluated on Total R-R interval power (p=0.02). Post-transplantation time of ≥3 years was associated with significantly greater total R-R interval power compared to <3 years (median 59 vs 20 ms2; P=0.02).
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