Arterial Hypertension in Liver Transplant Recipients

Hypertension is an important cardiovascular risk factor that influences patient survival. This study sought to evaluate hypertension incidence and circadian rhythms of blood pressure (BP) among liver transplant recipients during the first posttransplant month. We also compared hypertension incidence according to clinical and automated blood pressure monitoring methods. BP was determined by clinical blood pressure monitoring (CBPM) methods and by automated blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) using the SpaceLabs device. We also assessed blood biochemistry, particularly kidney function parameters and immunosuppressive drug blood trough levels, among 32 white subjects (10 women and 22 men) of average age 47.58 ± 14.19 years. The leading cause for transplantation was liver insufficiency due to viral hepatitis B and/or C infection (43.75%). The majority (93.75%) of patients was prescribed immunosuppressive treatment with tacrolimus. Although we observed hypertension in 28 patients (87.5%) by ABPM measurements and in 25 (78.12%) using CBPM method, the difference did not reach statistical significance. However, BP control was inadequate in 28 patients (87.5%) by ABPM assessment versus 3 (9.38%) according to CBPM readings (P = .025). The BP circadian rhythm was altered in 30 patients (93.75%) including 15 with higher nighttime BP readings. There was no correlation between tacrolimus blood levels and BP values or with kidney function as assessed by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. We concluded that prevalence of arterial hypertension among liver transplant recipients within 1 month after transplantation is high. The majority of the patients show disturbed circadian rhythms in the early period after liver transplantation with loss or even reversal of the normal nocturnal decrease in BP. Owing to the fact that ABPM enables more adequate daily assessment of BP values, it is an optimal method to adjust antihypertensive therapy to optimal levels.