SUMMARY
Kymberly D. Watt, M.D., studies long-term outcomes after liver transplantation, with a particular focus on obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Watt also studies recurrent disease, including fatty liver disease and malignancies after liver transplantation.
The primary goal of her research is to improve long-term survival in liver transplant recipients by understanding the effects of liver transplantation on these medical issues and minimizing the risk factors associated with these diseases.
Dr. Watt studies risk assessment for improving access to transplantation for patients with pre-existing malignancies as well as severe obesity, and metabolic and cardiac disease. She studies physiologic optimization (cardiopulmonary and physical function) associated with end-stage liver disease and the effects of liver transplantation in these patients. She also studies risk management for obesity, and cardiometabolic and malignant disease after transplant. These studies will identify therapeutic strategies to optimize transplant candidacy, prevent disease and manage complications. The overarching goal is improved long-term survival after transplantation.
In addition, Dr. Watt collaborates with surgical colleagues and endoscopists in studying the timing and role of weight loss surgery and procedures in liver transplant recipients in an effort to reduce the effects of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and recurrent fatty liver disease in these patients.
Focus areas
- Improving access to transplant for patients with pre-existing malignancy, obesity, cardiometabolic disease and debility.
- Investigating why liver transplant recipients are at higher risk than the general population for malignancy, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.
- Identifying correctable factors contribute to this increased risk.
- Determining how we can lower this risk and reduce the prevalence of malignancy, obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in liver transplant recipients.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Watt's research will help to improve long-term quality of life and survival in patients receiving a liver transplant.