Extending the age criteria of lung transplant donors to 70+ years old does not significantly affect recipient survival

Octo- and nonagenarian donors in lung transplantation: A dual center experience

The maximal donor age for lung transplantation (LTx) remains controversial, despite favorable outcomes with donors ≥70 years. We report our experience with LTx from donors ≥80 years. Donor/recipient characteristics and short-term postoperative outcome were retrospectively analyzed across two centers between 2016 and 2023. Seventeen patients underwent single (n=2) or double (n=15) LTx from octo- or nonagenarian donors with a median age of 83 years (range 80-94). Most donors were non-smoking females with intracerebral bleeding. Last donor PaO2/FiO2 ratio was 440 mmHg. Three recipients developed PGD3 at 72 h. Median ICU and hospital stay were 11 and 29 days, respectively. Five patients showed minimal (A1) ACR at one month post-LTx. Two patients developed CLAD. One- and three-year survival rates were 84% and 70%. Our case series indicates that LTx from well-selected octo- and nonagenarian donors is a valuable option to expand the donor pool.

Outcomes after lung transplantation from selected donors older than 70 years in a single centre: time to close the debate?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of lung transplantations using grafts from donors aged over 70 years against those performed using younger donors.

METHODS

This retrospective single-centre analysis includes lung transplants conducted at our institution from January 2014 to June 2022. Lung recipients were classified into 2 groups based on donor age (group A <70 years; group B ≥70 years). Variables regarding demographics, peri and postoperative outcomes and survival were included. The statistical analysis approach included univariable analysis, propensity score matching to address imbalances in donor variables (smoking status), recipient characteristics (sex, age, diagnosis and lung allocation score) and calendar period and survival analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 353 lung transplants were performed in this period, 47 (13.3%) using grafts from donors aged over 70 years. Donors in group B were more frequently women (70.2% vs 51.6%, P = 0.017), with less smoking history (22% vs 43%, P = 0.002) and longer mechanical ventilation time (3 vs 2 days, P = 0.025). Recipients in group B had a higher lung allocation score (37.5 vs 35, P = 0.035). Postoperative variables were comparable between both groups, except for pulmonary function tests. Group B demonstrated lower forced expiratory volume 1 s levels (2070 vs 2580 ml, P = 0.001). The propensity score matching showed a lower chance of chronic lung allograft dysfunction by 12% for group B. One-, three- and five-year survival was equal between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of selected expanded-criteria donors aged over 70 years did not result in increased postoperative morbidity, early mortality or survival in this study.