Abstract Body (Do not enter title and authors here): Introduction

Heart transplant (HT) is the gold standard for advanced heart failure, and the individuals burdened by advanced heart failure often have multiple comorbidities. Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a common comorbidity and is frequently underdiagnosed. Previous studies examined the relationship between PEM and mortality in HT and found a positive association. However, the relationship between PEM and HT rejection, HT failure, and cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is scarce. Given that these complications also impact survival, we sought to explore the relationship.

Methods

We identified all HT patients using ICD-10 codes from the 2016 to 2021 National Inpatient Sample database. Then, the PEM group was compared to the no-PEM group. We used Student’s Test and Pearson’s Chi-squared to analyze continuous and categorical variables. Then, multivariable logistic regression models were used to account for confounders and to predict the outcomes. The primary outcomes were HT rejection, HT failure, and CAV. The secondary outcomes were mortality, arrhythmias (composite of atrial and ventricular fibrillation and flutter, and supraventricular tachycardia), length of hospital stay, and cost of hospitalization. A 2-sided p-value was the statistical threshold for significance.

Results

During the study period, 31,215 HT hospitalizations occurred, and 11.9% (3,700) had PEM. The median age for the PEM group was 65 years.
Compared to the no-PEM group, HT rejection 0.8 (0.4-1.5), HT failure 0.8 (0.3-2.1), and CAV 1.08 (0.6-1.9) did not differ between both groups, p>0.05, each.
The PEM group had a higher association with mortality 2.8 (2.1-3.6), arrhythmias 1.4 (1.07-1.8), longer LOS 8 vs. 4 days, and higher cost of hospitalization, $84,687 vs. $43,285, p<0.01 each.

Conclusion
Among the heart transplant population, protein-energy malnutrition was not associated with transplant rejection, transplant failure, or CAV. However, protein-energy malnutrition was associated with mortality, arrhythmias, a longer hospital stay, and a higher cost of hospitalization.