The cardiovascular profile and dietary intake of post-cardiac transplant patients

Advanced coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most frequently observed long term complication of cardiac transplantation. Studies report prevalence rates up to 70 per cent at five years post-transplant. In addition to immunologically mediated factors, conventional cardiovascular risk factors have been implicated in the development of CAD. The purpose of this research project was to investigate the cardiovascular profile and dietary intake of cardiac transplant recipients at twelve to twenty-four months post-transplant at St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney. The study population consisted of 27 post-cardiac transplant patients. Data including body weight, serum lipid levels, blood pressure and the presence of diabetes mellitus in the posttransplant period was retrospectively analysed from St. Vincent's Hospital records. Waist-tohip ratios (WHR) were measured at the time of participation in the study and compared to recommendations. Each participant was also interviewed for approximately one hour to obtain an extensive diet history.