Gallstone Disease in Heart Transplant Recipients

William S. Richardson, MD, Walter J. Surowiec, MD, Kristine M. Carter, MD, Todd P. Howell, MD, Mandeep R. Mehra, MD, John C. Bowen, MD

Disclosures

Annals of Surgery. 2003;237(2)

Conclusions

Cardiac transplant recipients demonstrate a higher risk of de novo cholelithiasis than the general population both before and after transplantation. Because of the high morbidity and mortality risk in the immediate posttransplant period, strong consideration needs to be given to pretransplant cholecystectomy. Cholecystectomy is safe postoperatively as long as the allograft functions well and acute cholecystitis has not occurred. Annual surveillance for gallstones and cholecystectomy for asymptomatic gallstones are warranted.

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Correspondence: William S. Richardson, MD, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121. E-mail: wrichardson@ochsner.org

Cite this: Gallstone Disease in Heart Transplant Recipients - Medscape - Feb 01, 2003.

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Gallstone Disease in Heart Transplant Recipients

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