Analysis of causes of death in liver transplant recipients who survived more than 3 years.

Few studies have examined causes of death in long-term survivors of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). We reviewed causes of death among 299 adult liver transplant recipients who survived more than 3 years after OLT at 2 centers. Thirty-eight of the 299 patients subsequently died. Nonhepatic causes accounted for 22 of 38 late deaths (58%). Death caused by malignancies occurred in 9 patients between 3.3 and 8.0 years after OLT. Eight patients died of cardiovascular complications. The 6 patients who died of myocardial infarction had risk factors for coronary artery disease. Hepatic failure caused by recurrent liver disease or chronic rejection accounted for 16 of 38 late deaths (42%). These 16 patients were younger than patients who died of nonhepatic complications (mean ages, 50.7 v 62.1 years; P =.001). However, the mean interval between OLT and death was similar among patients who died of nonhepatic versus hepatic causes. Nine patients had recurrent liver disease leading to death, and 8 of 9 patients had recurrent chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Chronic rejection resulting in graft failure and death occurred in 7 patients. In summary, de novo malignancies and cardiovascular complications accounted for more than half the late deaths. Patients who died of nonhepatic causes were significantly older than patients who died of hepatic causes. Chronic rejection and recurrent HCV infection accounted for the majority of hepatic causes of death. With longer follow-up, graft failure resulting from recurrent HCV infection will become the major cause of death in late survivors.