Abstract 12595: De Novo Lymphoproliferative Disorders in Heart Transplant Recipients: Predictors and Clinical Outcomes

Introduction:Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in heart transplant (HTx) recipients. However, clinical characteristics and predictors of PTLD in the real world have not been well studied.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical characteristics, predictors, and outcomes of PTLD, in 28,136 recipients of heart alone transplants between January 2000 and June 2015 from the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Thoracic Organ Transplant Registry.ResultsTen-year incidence of PTLD after successful discharge from HTx during 2000-2007 was 3.8%. The adjusted overall risk of mortality was significantly higher in patients diagnosed with PTLD within 3 years after HTx compared to those without PTLD (HR 2.22, 95% CI 1.86-2.65, p<0.001). Bimodal age peak of the PTLD incidence within the 3 years of HTx and mortality after the diagnosis of PTLD was noted. Both adjusted risk of PTLD incidence and mortality were lower in recent HTx; lower incidence and mortality in era of 2008-2015, compared to 2000-2007 (Incidence: HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57-0.98, p=0.038) (Mortality: HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.81-0.91, p<0.001). Age at transplant, male recipient, high risk Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) mismatch (donor positive and recipient negative for EBV) were independent risk factors, while primary maintenance therapy with cyclosporine (vs. tacrolimus) at initial discharge was a protective factor for PTLD within 3 years.ConclusionsThe incidence as well as mortality of PTLD has decreased in recent years of HTx, possibly with advances in changed pattern of immunosuppression according to patient profile. Clinical characteristics such as age, male gender, EBV status and rejection history are key factors for assessing the risk of PTLD, which can be detrimental in the course of post HTx care.