Risk Profile for Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality After Lung Transplantation

Transplant recipients have an unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile and experience more cardiovascular morbidity and mortality compared with the general population, primarily because of immunosuppressant-induced diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. These discouraging prospects are even more ominous for lung transplant recipients who are more likely than other organ recipients to require intense immunosuppression and develop these conditions early and concomitantly. The purposes of this article are to heighten awareness of the prevalence, risk factors, and management of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia in lung transplant patients, and to assist nurses to be proactive in helping recipients to reduce the likelihood of developing cardiovascular complications.