Pancreas transplant alone determines early improvement of cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac function in type 1 diabetic patients

BACKGROUND: The effects of pancreas transplant alone (PTA) on cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) and cardiac function in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients are still unsettled. METHODS: We studied 13 T1DM patients who received PTA with portal drainage and 11 matched control patients. Parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism and several additional classic CRF were assessed before and up to 6 months posttransplant. Cardiac morphology and function were assessed by Doppler echocardiographic examination. RESULTS: Insulin independence was promptly achieved and then maintained after PTA. Total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower after transplantation, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations did not change. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure values and fibrinogen levels improved significantly. In addition, PTA determined a significant amelioration of several morphologic and functional cardiac indices. None of the measured parameters changed in the control patients. CONCLUSIONS: PTA with portal drainage induces an early improvement of CRF and ameliorates cardiac function in patients with T1DM.