Cardiopulmonary exercise testing predicts post-liver transplantation survival

Researchers from the UK determined that preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a predictor of 90-day survival following liver transplantation. Study results available in the February issue of Liver Transplantation show that the CPET measurement significantly predicts mortality in patients post-transplantation. CPET is a non-invasive measure of cardiorespiratory fitness and has been previously used as a predictor of morbidity and mortality following other types of major surgeries. "Liver transplantation carries a significant mortality risk in the early days following surgery," explains Dr. James Prentis from Freeman Hospital. "An accurate preoperative assessment like CPET could help minimize patient mortality and optimize limited donor organs."