Pre-Transplant C-Reactive Protein ≥ 20 mg/L Predicts Infection-Related Mortality After Heart Transplantation
Abstract
Background: Patients after heart transplantation (HTX) require lifelong immunosuppressive therapy to prevent graft rejection, thereby increasing susceptibility to infections. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a recognized biochemical marker of system-wide inflammation and generally rises with increasing infection severity. As the prognostic relevance of elevated CRP (≥20 mg/L) prior to HTX has been unclear, we analyzed its effects on post-transplant outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective, observational, single-center study including 418 patients who received HTX at Heidelberg Heart Center between the years 2000 and 2019. HTX recipients were grouped according to pre-transplant CRP (
Fields of Study & Subjects
Transplantation: Methods and Outcomes
Cardiac and Coronary Surgery Techniques
Sepsis Diagnosis and Treatment
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Clinical Medicine
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 1332–1332
- Publication date
- 8 February 2026
- Language
- EN