Prognostic Assessment with the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool in Heart Transplant Recipients: A Pilot Study and a Single-Center Experience

2024

Malnutrition Screening in Heart Transplant Patients

Sample size: 168 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Fabozzo Assunta, Lombardi Valentina, Cibin Giorgia, Bergonzoni Emma, Lorenzoni Giulia, Gregori Dario, Tessari Chiara, Bacich Daniela, D’Onofrio Augusto, Toscano Giuseppe, Gambino Antonio, Tarzia Vincenzo, Pradegan Nicola, Gerosa Gino, Eccher Albino

Primary Institution: Cardiac Surgery Unit, MCS and Heart Transplant Program, Padova University Hospital, Italy

Hypothesis

The study aimed to analyze the relationship between malnutrition status and clinical outcomes in heart transplant patients using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST).

Conclusion

Malnutrition assessed with the MUST score is not associated with increased in-hospital mortality or major postoperative complications, but it is related to long-term mortality in heart transplant patients.

Supporting Evidence

Malnutrition affects 10–25% of patients undergoing surgery and 25–60% of patients with heart failure.
The MUST score is a dynamic tool that assesses malnutrition risk based on BMI, weight loss, and food intake expectations.
A higher MUST score was associated with increased long-term mortality risk.

Takeaway

Doctors checked if heart transplant patients were malnourished using a special tool, and found that while it didn't affect their immediate recovery, it did relate to how long they lived afterward.

Methodology

A retrospective clinical study was conducted on adult patients who underwent heart transplantation, using the MUST score to assess nutritional status and analyzing outcomes through statistical methods.