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Changes in body weight and serum cholesterol after heart transplant in relation to ventricular assist device implantation

Weight gain is common after implantation of a ventricular assist device (VAD) prior to heart transplantation, but post-transplant changes in weight and also in blood lipids in those with VAD is virtually unknown. This study aimed to determine the influence of pre-transplant VAD implantation on body weight, blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels in Australian adult heart transplant recipients (HTRs), 1990–2017, from time of transplantation to 36 months post-transplantation. Information on VAD implantation, weight and blood lipids was collected for HTRs from medical records. Changes in weight and blood lipids from post-transplant to 12-, 24 and 36 months later, were assessed by VAD status using linear mixed-effects models. Of 236 heart transplant recipients, 48 (20%) had VAD implants. HTRs irrespective of VAD status, tended to increase their mean weight (p < 0.001) over 36 months (VAD implant: 76.9–84.4 kg; no VAD: 81.3–88.2 kg). Patients with VAD tended to have lower mean blood lipids but experienced increases similar to those with no VAD, from baseline to 36 months (cholesterol: VAD: 4.24–4.66 mmol/l; no VAD: 4.73–4.88 mmol/l; p = 0.05; triglycerides: VAD 1.59–1.63 mmol/l; no VAD 1.85–2.22 mmol/l; p = 0.09). We conclude that HTRs in general experience weight gain and lipid increases in the first 36 months after transplantation, regardless of prior VAD implantation.