Cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical organ damage after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pediatric age

• DOI: 10.1038/s41409-018-0104-x
• Publication Date: 2018-02-05T16:33:10Z
• Authors: Bianca Borchert-M...; Nima Memaran; Martin Sauer; Britta Maecker-Ko...; Karl-Walter Sykora; Ricarda Blöte; Elena Bauer; Bernhard M. W. Sc...; Anette Melk; Rita Beier
• Keywords: Male; Transplantation Conditioning; Adolescent; Medizin; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; 0302 clinical medicine; Cardiovascular Diseases; Risk Factors; Humans; Female; Child

Advances in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in malignant and non-malignant diseases result in more long-term survivors, in whom cardiovascular (CV) disease is one leading non-cancer cause of death. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors and subclinical CV organ damage in survivors after HSCT in pediatric age. We enrolled 64 children in a cross-sectional approach 3.3 ± 3.1 years after HSCT. Anthropometric data, laboratory values, office and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) were evaluated, showing a high prevalence of obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia. CV organ damage was determined by non-invasive measurements of aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and carotid intima media thickness (IMT). Increased IMT and elevated PWV reflecting subclinical vascular damage were detected in 48% (IMT) and 6% (PWV) of our population. For IMT, physical activity had a positive impact and was worsened by time after HSCT. Our results show a surprisingly high rate of subclinical CV organ damage and classical risk factors. Therefore, diagnosis and management of well-known CV risk factors belong to clinical care after HSCT.