A decade of lung transplantation

Uncommon Complications of Lung Transplantation in a Referral Center

Background

Many efforts were made to determine the uncommon clinical complications after lung transplantation and treatment options to tackle them; however, many of these rare complications have not been mentioned in recent publications. Evaluating and recording adverse effects after organ transplantation can significantly prevent post-transplant mortality. This study aimed to examine rejection factors by examining individuals undergoing lung transplantation surgery.

Materials and Methods

In a prospective longitudinal study, we followed up on complications of 60 lung recipients post lung-transplantation surgery for six years from 2010 to 2018. All complications were recorded in follow-up visits or hospital admissions during these years. Finally, the patients' information was categorized and evaluated by designing a questionnaire.

Results

From a total of 60 transplant recipients, from 2010 to 2018, 58 patients were initially enrolled in our study, but two were lost to follow-up. Uncommon complications witnessed in the post-transplantation period included endogenous endophthalmitis, herpetic keratitis, duodenal strongyloidiasis, intestinal cryptosporidiosis, myocardial infarction, diaphragm dysfunction, Chylothorax, thyroid nodule, and necrotizing pancreatitis.

Conclusion

Meticulous postoperative surveillance is crucial for managing lung transplant patients for early detection and treatment of common and uncommon complications. Therefore, it is necessary to establish procedures for assessing the patients' constancy until complete recovery.

Fatal respiratory infection due to ST308 VIM-1-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a lung transplant recipient: case report and review of the literature

Background

Data regarding the prevalence of metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) among Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in cystic fibrosis patients are scarce. Furthermore, there is limited knowledge on the effect of MBL production on patient outcomes. Here we describe a fatal respiratory infection due to P. aeruginosa producing VIM-type MBLs in a lung transplant recipient and the results of the subsequent epidemiological investigation.

Case presentation

P. aeruginosa isolates collected in the index patient and among patients temporally or spatially linked with the index patient were analyzed in terms of antibiotic susceptibility profile and MBL production. Whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic reconstruction were also performed for all P. aeruginosa isolates producing VIM-type MBLs. A VIM-producing P. aeruginosa strain was identified in a lung biopsy of a lung transplant recipient with cystic fibrosis. The strain was VIM-1-producer and belonged to the ST308. Despite aggressive treatment, the transplant patient succumbed to the pulmonary infection due to the ST308 strain. A VIM-producing P. aeruginosa strain was also collected from the respiratory samples of a different cystic fibrosis patient attending the same cystic fibrosis center. This isolate harbored the blaVIM-2 gene and belonged to the clone ST175. This patient did not experience an adverse outcome.

Conclusions

This is the first description of a fatal infection due to P. aeruginosa producing VIM-type MBLs in a lung transplant recipient. The circulation of P. aeruginosa isolates harboring MBLs pose a substantial risk to the cystic fibrosis population due to the limited therapeutic options available and their spreading potential.

Incidence of Massive Transfusion and Overall Transfusion Requirements During Lung Transplantation Over a 25-Year Period

OBJECTIVE

To establish the incidence of massive transfusion and overall transfusion requirements during lung transplantation, changes over time, and association with outcome in relation to patient complexity.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

All 514 adult patients who underwent transplantation from 1990 until 2015.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Patient records and transfusion data, divided into 5-year intervals, were analyzed. The incidence of massive transfusion (>10 units of red blood cells [RBCs] in 24 h) was 27% and did not change over time, whereas the median (interquartile range) transfusion requirement in the whole cohort decreased from 8 (5-12) to 3 (0-10) RBCs (p < 0.001). In patients transplanted from the intensive care unit, the incidence of massive transfusion increased over time from 25% to 54% (p = 0.04) and median transfusion requirements from 4.5 (3-8.5) units to 14.5 (5-26) units of RBCs (p = 0.03). Multivariable analysis showed that circulatory support, pulmonary hypertension, re-transplantation, cystic fibrosis, Eisenmenger syndrome, bilateral transplantation, and low body mass index were associated with massive transfusion. Patients with massive transfusion had more primary graft dysfunction grade III at 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours (p < 0.001), higher 30-day mortality (13% v 4%; p < 0.001), and lower 5-year survival (hazard ratio 3.67 [95% confidence interval 1.72-7.85]; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of massive transfusion did not change over time, whereas transfusion requirements in the whole cohort decreased. In patients transplanted from the intensive care unit, massive transfusion and transfusion requirements increased. Massive transfusion was associated with poor outcome.

Aspects of Anesthesia for Lung Transplantation

Anesthesia for lung transplantation is both a demand ing and rewarding experience. Success requires team- work, experience, knowledge of cardiorespiratory patho physiology and its anesthetic implications, appropriate use of noninvasive and invasive monitoring, and the ability to respond quickly and effectively to life- threatening perioperative events. Specific issues in clude management of a patient with end-stage lung and heart disease, lung isolation and one-lung ventilation, perioperative respiratory failure, pulmonary hyperten sion, and acute right ventricular failure. Recent ad vances include greater understanding of dynamic hyper inflation ("gas-trapping") during mechanical ventilation, perioperative use of inhaled nitric oxide and treatment of acute right ventricular failure. Successful anesthetic management leads to greater hemodynamic stability, improvement in gas exchange and a reduction in need for cardiopulmonary bypass, all of which should lead to improved patient outcome.

Analysis of patients referred to a lung transplantation unit

This cross-sectional, concurrent and descriptive study presents the decisions regarding patients referred to our Lung Transplantation Unit (LTxU). Each patient is discussed in a multidisciplinary clinical session (phase I), rejecting some and accepting others for assessment in our LTxU (phase II) according to criteria of the National and International Guidelines for Transplantation. A protocol assessment in phase II, leads to a decision to reject, accept, or follow-up the candidate for LTx. Among 214 evaluation requests received in our unit from May 2008 to December 2011, 37 patients (17%) were rejected based on the information sent to our LTxU. Among the patients evaluated in phase II, 62 (28.9%) were put on the waiting list, 125 (58.4%) were rejected, and twenty-seven (12.6%) were postponed for future reconsideration, results that were similar to those described in the literature. The main disease referred for LTx was obstructive airflow (n = 98; 45.7%), followed by interstitial lung disease (ILD; n = 66; 30.8%), cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis (n = 20; 9.3%), or primary pulmonary hypertension group 1 (n = 20; 9.3%). Ten patients (4.6%) were diagnosed with other respiratory diseases. Most patients (n = 165; 77.1%) lived in the region of our hospital (Madrid). The main reasons to reject patients for LTx were malnutrition, severe disease in other organs, toxic habits, and refusal of treatment. Finally, one out of four referred patients was accepted for LTx. In addition to serious comorbidities in various organs, a high percentage of patients who were not accepted for LTx because of these factors might have been of accepted had these conditions been corrected before patient referral.

Surgical treatment of pulmonary hypertension: Lung transplantation

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious and progressive disorder that results in right ventricular dysfunction that lead to subsequent right heart failure and death. When untreated the median survival for these patients is 2.8 years. Over the past decade advances in disease specific medical therapy considerably changed the natural history. This is reflected in a threefold decrease in the number of patients undergoing lung transplantation for PH which used to be main stay of treatment. Despite the successful development of medical therapy lung transplant still remains the gold standard for patients who fail medical therapy. Referral for lung transplant is recommended when patients have a less than 2-3 years of predicted survival or in NYHA class III or IV. Both single and bilateral lung transplants have been successfully performed for PH but outcome analyses and survival comparisons generally favor a bilateral lung transplant.

Mortality associated with Acinetobacter baumannii infections experienced by lung transplant recipients

Lung transplantation (LTX) requires continual systemic immunosuppression, which can result in infections that may compromise recipient survival. A recent outbreak of Acinetobacter baumannii at our institution resulted in infections experienced in both LTX recipients and nontransplant patients. A retrospective review was conducted of patients who had A. baumannii recovered from blood, other normally sterile body fluids, and/or respiratory secretions and who had clinical follow-up extending to 1 year postinfection. A. baumannii was considered "multidrug-resistant" when its growth was not inhibited by minimum inhibitory concentrations of multiple antibiotics. Despite the resistance profile, patients were treated with a combination of antibiotics, which included tigecycline, colistimethate, and when susceptible, imipenem. Once infection was diagnosed, immunosuppression was reduced in all LTX recipients. Six LTX recipients became infected with A. baumannii and were contrasted to infections identified in 14 non-LTX, nonimmunosuppressed patients. A. baumannii was persistently recovered in 4 of 6 LTX recipients (66.7%) compared with only 1 of 14 (7.1%) non-LTX patients (χ(2) = 9.9, p = 0.005). LTX recipients received antibiotic therapy for an average of 76 ± 18.4 days compared with 16.0 ± 6.8 days for the non-LTX patients (p = 0.025, Mann-Whitney U test). All 4 of the 6 (66.7%) LTX recipients died as a consequence of their infection compared with 1 of 14 (7.1%) of the non-LTX patients (χ(2) = 9.9, p = 0.005). Despite receiving more antibiotic therapy, LTX recipients who were infected with multidrug-resistant A. baumannii were less likely to clear their infection and experienced greater mortality compared with non-LTX patients.

Evaluation of metered dose inhaler (MDI) formulations of ciclosporin

Our purpose was to evaluate metered dose inhaler (MDI) formulations of ciclosporin (cyclosporine) for aerodynamic properties, chemical stability and bioactivity. Ciclosporin formulations (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0% w/w) were prepared in hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellants (134a and 227) containing 3 and 6% ethanol. Aerodynamic properties of the MDI formulations were analysed using an eight-stage Andersen cascade impactor and respirable mass and non-respirable mass, mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) were determined from the impaction profiles. The chemical stability of 0.1% ciclosporin in HFA 227 containing 3% ethanol formulation stored at room temperature and 40°C was evaluated by HPLC at 0, 14, 30 and 90 days. The bioactivity of ciclosporin MDI formulations was evaluated by determining the ciclosporin-mediated inhibition of interleukin-2 (IL-2) release from human Jurkat cells stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). As ethanol concentration increased from 3 to 6%, respirable mass decreased from 2.3 mg per five actuations to 0.04 mg per five actuations for HFA 227 formulations, and from 1.5 mg to 0.09 mg per five actuations for HFA 134a formulations. The MMAD for both HFA 134a and 227 formulations increased with an increase in ciclosporin concentration. HPLC analysis showed ciclosporin to be extremely stable in HFA 227 at room temperature and 40°C. Stimulation of Jurkat cells with PMA released significant amounts of IL-2, which was inhibited by ciclosporin in a dose-dependent manner. This study shows the feasibility of developing chemically stable and bioactive HFA-based MDI formulations of ciclosporin.

Age and sex predict PaO2/FiO2 ratio in brain-dead donor lungs

OBJECTIVES

To define the prevalence of various ranges of the ratio of partial arterial oxygen tension to fraction of inspired oxygen (Pao(2)/Fio(2)) and to determine correlative and predictive variables of donor lung Pao(2)/Fio(2).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From the brain death database of Masih Daneshvari Hospital Organ Procurement Center, we extracted demographic data, cause of injury, patient clinical condition, and laboratory findings as independent data. Donor lung suitability was determined with an oxygen challenge test, with results of 400 mm Hg considered ideal; 300 to 399 mm Hg, good; 200 to 299 mm Hg, borderline; and less than 200 mm Hg, not acceptable.

RESULTS

Using the Pao(2)/Fio(2) cutoff points, 6.7% of donor lungs were considered ideal; 26.7%, good; 40%, borderline; and 26.7%, unacceptable. Mean (SD; range) Pao(2)/Fio(2) was 266.6 (85.6; 110-460). The Pao(2)/Fio(2) was significantly correlated with age (r = -0.35; P = .02). After entering the study variables into a linear regression model, age (-2.3; P = .008) and sex (51.5; P = .04) were significant predictors of donor lung suitability (R(2) = 0.95; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Results of oxygen challenge tests demonstrated better suitability of lungs from male and younger brain-dead donors. This finding is independent of other variables including cause of brain death and clinical and paraclinical data.

Special considerations for patients with cystic fibrosis undergoing lung transplantation

This article reviews lung transplantation in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Lung transplantation is commonly utilized for patients with end-stage CF. There are several characteristics of CF that present unique challenges before and after lung transplantation. There is new information available that can be utilized to predict outcomes in patients with end-stage CF, and therefore can help in decisions of referral and listing for lung transplantation. The new lung allocation score, which allocates organs to patients who are on the lung transplant waiting list in the United States, presents new challenges and opportunities for patients with end-stage CF. In addition, the effect of the presence of microbiological flora prior to lung transplantation has been better linked to outcomes after lung transplantation. It is now known that, other than those patients harboring Burkholderia cepacia in their lungs before transplantation, most CF patients can undergo transplantation successfully. Nutrition remains an important issue among CF patients, and diabetes is a common problem after lung transplantation. In contrast, liver disease does not usually present major problems but, if it is severe, can necessitate liver and lung transplantation. Mechanical ventilation prior to transplantation might not be an absolute contraindication for CF patients. CF lung transplant recipients have good outcomes after lung transplantation compared with those of other lung transplant recipients. Quality of life is dramatically improved. However, they are still prone to common complications that all lung transplant recipients are prone to, including primary graft dysfunction, acute and chronic rejection, a variety of infections and malignancies, and renal failure.

Bacteremia in lung transplant recipients in the current era

Current trends in the epidemiology, outcome and variables influencing mortality in bacteremic lung transplant recipients have not been fully described. We prospectively studied bacteremias in lung transplant recipients in a multicenter study between 2000-2004. Bacteremia was documented in 56 lung transplant recipients, an average of 172 days after transplantation. Multiple antibiotic resistance was documented in 48% of the isolates; these included 57% of the Gram-negative and 38% of the Gram-positive bacteria. Pulmonary infection was the most common source of resistant gram-negative bacteremias. Mortality rate at 28 days after the onset of bacteremia was 25% (14/56). Mechanical ventilation and abnormal mental status correlated independently with higher mortality (p < 0.05 for both variables). Bacteremia remains a significant complication in lung transplant recipients and is associated with considerable mortality. Recognition of variables portending a high risk for antibiotic resistance and for poor outcome has implications relevant for optimizing antibiotic prescription and for improving outcomes in lung transplant recipients.

Lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To examine recent publications on lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis for changes in surgical techniques, selection criteria of patients, and impact on quality of life.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent evidence focuses on cystic fibrosis patient subsets enabling better decisions about listing for lung transplantation as a therapeutic option. There is information about Burkholderia cepacia infection, ventilator dependence, young age, and arthropathy. In the US, the United Network for Organ Sharing has addressed perceived inequities in organ distribution by allocating organs by illness severity rather than time on the waiting list. A Lung Allocation Score ranks severity for patients 12 years of age and older for transplantation based on variables including lung function, oxygen and ventilatory needs, diabetes, weight and physical performance. Some recently studied important variables that influence survival in cystic fibrosis and after lung transplantation, including airway infections, pancreatic exocrine function and acute exacerbations, are not included in the Lung Allocation Score. Few publications have examined quality of life after transplantation, and a definitive work has yet to appear.

SUMMARY

New information has refined decision-making about lung transplantation for patients with cystic fibrosis. We examine recent findings and make recommendations for patients, families and medical providers.

Evaluation of Patients Referred for Lung Transplantation: Fourteen Years Experience

We present a descriptive study of patients referred as candidates for lung transplantation in the last 14 years. The 837 requests were evaluated stepwise in three phases: phase I, derivation report; phase II, outpatient evaluation; and phase III, inpatient evaluation. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was the most common reason for referral (31%). Cystic fibrosis was the referral disease with the best transplanted/referred relation (57%) and pulmonary fibrosis was the disease that had the highest mortality (39.7% of all deaths). Forty-three percent of all patients reached phase III and 29% were transplanted. Mortality on the waiting list was 3.7%. The most important causes of exclusion were inadequate indications and the presence of severe associated diseases. The mean study was 44 days. Knowledge of the natural history, local factors that influence organ availability, expected time on the waiting list, and disease progression allow optimization of this therapeutic option.

Outcomes of Adults with Cystic Fibrosis Infected with Antibiotic-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

BACKGROUND

Although Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common bacterial infection in adults with cystic fibrosis and frequently develops resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics, it has not been determined whether patients with multiple antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa have worse clinical outcomes than patients with more susceptible strains.

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the impact of multiply-resistant P. aeruginosa on lung function, hospitalizations, antibiotic use, lung transplantation and survival in adults with cystic fibrosis.

METHODS

In a cohort study at a university-based adult cystic fibrosis program, 75 consecutive adult cystic fibrosis patients who had P. aeruginosa isolated from sputum cultures were studied over a 4-year period. Outcomes included decline in FEV1, clinic visits, hospitalizations, courses and days of intravenous antibiotics, and lung transplantation. Multiple linear and Poisson regression for repeated measures were used to assess the outcomes.

RESULTS

In comparison to patients with susceptible strains, patients with resistant P. aeruginosa had more severe baseline lung disease, more rapid decline in FEV1 (160 ml/year, p = 0.003) and were significantly more likely to undergo lung transplantation (17.6 vs. 0%, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Infection with multiple-antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa is associated with accelerated progression of cystic fibrosis, and has important implications for infection control strategies, antibiotic use and lung transplantation.

The impact of pan-resistant bacterial pathogens on survival after lung transplantation in cystic fibrosis: results from a single large referral centre

Reported actuarial one-year survival for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) after lung transplant is 55-91%. Infection is the most common cause of early death. Colonization with Burkholderia cepacia complex is associated with reduced survival and international lung transplant referral guidelines support individual unit assessment policies for patients colonized with other pan-resistant bacteria. We examined local data on survival after transplant for CF to determine the impact of colonization with pan-resistant bacteria. A retrospective review of all CF patients from Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH), Sydney, who underwent lung transplantation at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, 1989-2002, was performed. Sixty-five patients were listed for lung transplantation with 54 (male: female=29:25) receiving transplants. Of the 11 patients (17%) who died on the waiting list, six were colonized with pan-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thirty of the 54 transplanted patients had at least one pan-resistant organism before transplant. In 28 this included P. aeruginosa. Overall one-year survival was 92% with a median survival of 67 months. Overall survival for the pan-resistant group (N = 30) was not significantly different to survival in those with sensitive organisms (N = 24) (Logrank chi square = 1.6, P = 0.2). Three patients colonized with B. cepacia complex pre-transplant survive at 11, 40 and 60 months post-transplant. Infection contributed to 11 of the 18 post-transplant deaths, with pre-transplant-acquired bacterial pathogens responsible in two cases. Patients continued to acquire multiresistant bacteria post-transplantation. Lung transplant survival at St Vincent's Hospital for CF adults from RPAH compares favourably with international benchmarks. Importantly, colonization with pan-resistant bacteria pre-transplant did not appear to adversely affect survival post-transplant.

Psychological functioning of pediatric lung transplant candidates/recipients: a review of the literature

Although lung transplants are performed in children, experience with the pediatric population remains limited. There is growing interest in studying the psychological functioning and quality of life in these patients following transplant. There is a body of literature about quality of life in adult lung transplant recipients, but little is known about how pediatric patients and their families function psychologically after transplant. The current article summarizes the pediatric literature with respect to psychological outcomes for transplant recipients and their parents and points to areas where additional research is needed.

Scintigraphic diagnosis of a right to left shunt in end-stage lung disease

PURPOSE

The presence of a right to left shunt influences the surgical approach to lung transplantation in patients with end-stage pulmonary disease. The purposes of this study included comparing contemporaneous lung scintigraphy with cardiac catheterization in the detection of intracardiac shunts in patients with end-stage lung disease and the point prevalence of right to left shunting was determined in patients with several different types of end-stage lung disease.

METHODS

Hundred and twenty six patients with end-stage lung disease who were candidates for lung transplantation underwent perfusion images of the lungs with Tc-99m-labeled macro-aggregated albumin (MAA). Planar scans of the brain and the kidneys were performed contemporaneously. Statistical analyses included correlation ofthe clinical, laboratory and scintigraphic variables. Group means were compared with the students t-test (two-tailed P-value).

RESULTS

There were 21 patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), 72 with emphysematous lung disease (COPD), 22 with pulmonary fibrotic disease (PF) and 11 with congenital heart disease (CHD) leading to pulmonary hypertension. Only 13 patients (10.3%) were found to have a right to left shunt. Of these, 4 had PPH, 2 had PF, and 7 had CHD. No shunts were found in patients with emphysema. All the positive studies had abnormally increased activity in both the brain and the kidneys. However, there were 25 cases with renal activity and none of these patients had brain activity or clinical evidence of a shunt. Increased pulmonary artery pressure was associated with scintigraphic presence of a shunt. There were no cases of a right to left shunt with a mean pulmonary artery pressure less than 50 mm Hg. In the subset of patients with a pulmonary pressure greater than 50 mm Hg, approximately 40% of the patients had a right to a left shunt. There were no measurable differences in the spirometry results, right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) or left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the subgroup of patients with PPH and right to left shunt in comparison with patients with PPH but without a right to left shunt.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate that images of the brain, but not the kidneys, are an effective way to diagnose extrapulmonary right to left shunts in patients with end-stage pulmonary disease. The problem of a right to left shunt is uncommon in patients with emphysematous lung disease and relatively common in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension.

Allogeneic cell stimulation enhances cytomegalovirus replication in the early period of primary infection in an experimental rat model

BACKGROUND

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) diseases commonly occur in allograft recipients in the early post-transplant period. However, factors responsible for the high incidence of CMV diseases during this period are not yet fully defined.

METHODS

Wistar-Furth (WF; RT-1(u)) rats were inoculated with 10(4) plaque-forming units (PFU) of rat CMV (RCMV) intraperitoneally, and then transplanted with allogeneic lungs from Dark Agouti (DA; RT-1avl) rats or stimulated with 10(7) mitomycin C-treated spleen cells from DA rats by daily sub-cutaneous injections for 2 weeks. No immunosuppressive agent was used. Naive WF rats and WF rats grafted with syngeneic lungs or cells were used as controls. The level of RCMV replication in rats was assessed by infectious virus titers in tissues.

RESULTS

The virus titers in salivary glands of allogeneic and syngeneic lung graft recipients were significantly higher than in naive WF rats. The level of RCMV replication in rats stimulated with allogeneic spleen cells was significantly higher than in the syngeneic recipient rats: virus titers in the salivary gland of allogeneic and syngeneic recipients reached 4.61 +/- 0.33 and 4.00 +/- 0.37 log(10) PFU/g tissue, respectively, at 14 days post-infection (p = 0.015). The augmented viral replication in allogeneic recipients was confirmed by an increase in the number of RCMV antigen-positive macrophages present in tissue sections of the salivary gland.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute lung allograft rejection and allogeneic spleen cell stimulation enhance CMV replication in the salivary gland of rats. Various responses to allogeneic antigens occurring in the process of acute allograft rejection could be risk factors for post-transplant CMV replication and infection.

Clinical outcome after coronary artery revascularization and lung transplantation

BACKGROUND

Presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in otherwise eligible lung transplant candidates is considered a contraindication to lung transplantation. We reviewed the clinical outcome of our experience in lung transplant recipients with operable coronary artery disease and normal left ventricular function.

METHODS

Medical records of all transplant recipients with coronary artery disease were reviewed. Data analyzed include demographics, coronary angiograms, coronary artery revascularization procedure, and clinical outcome after lung transplantation.

RESULTS

Between April 1992 and August 2001, 354 lung transplant procedures were performed. Eighteen patients (5%) had significant CAD (greater than 50% stenoses). Six male patients (mean age 59 years) underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty/stent and after lung transplantation all were discharged after a median hospital stay of 8.5 days. All recipients are alive at a median follow-up time of 14.5 months after their transplant. Twelve male patients (mean age 58 years) had combined coronary artery bypass grafting and lung transplantation. All recipients were discharged after a median hospital stay of 16 days. Nine recipients are alive at a median follow-up time of 7.5 months after transplant. One-year survival by the Kaplan-Meier method is 88% for the 18 patients with coronary artery disease who underwent revascularization and lung transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the traditional criteria of excluding all eligible transplant candidates due to coronary artery disease, coronary revascularization in select candidates with favorable anatomy and normal left ventricular function can allow patients to undergo lung transplantation with acceptable outcomes.

Bilateral diaphragm paralysis following lung transplantation and cardiac surgery in a 17-year-old

Bilateral diaphragm paralysis is a rare complication of lung transplantation. This report describes the development of chronic respiratory failure due to bilateral diaphragm paralysis following bilateral lung transplantation and closure of a patent foramen ovale. This patient required prolonged mechanical ventilation post-operatively; however, he eventually had adequate recovery of diaphragm function to wean from mechanical ventilation.

Intrathoracic organ transplantation in the United Kingdom 1995-99: results from the UK cardiothoracic transplant audit

OBJECTIVE

To describe the current practice and outcomes of intrathoracic transplantation in the United Kingdom.

DESIGN

Prospective observational cohort study.

SETTING

Multicentre study involving all nine UK intrathoracic transplant units.

PATIENTS

2588 patients added to the national waiting list between April 1995 and March 1999 and 1737 patients who underwent heart, lung, or heart-lung transplantation in the same period.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Waiting list mortality and post-transplant graft survival.

RESULTS

There was a slight fall in transplant activity over the four years. Within six months of listing, 52.5% of patients on the heart transplant list had been transplanted and 11.0% had died, compared with 31.3% and 15.2% for lung, and 23.4% and 20.4% for heart-lung. The median time to transplant in days (95% confidence interval) was 133 (115 to 149) for heart, 386 (328 to 496) for lung, and 471 (377 to 577) for heart-lung. After three years, the waiting list mortality was 16.9% (6.1% to 46.8%) for heart, 33.1% (9.0% to 100%) for lung, and 36.5% (10.5% to 100%) for heart-lung. The three year graft survival after transplantation was 74.2% (71.2% to 77.0%) for heart, 53.8% (48.2% to 59.2%) for lung, and 57.2% (49.0% to 64.6%) for heart-lung.

CONCLUSIONS

This validated database defines the current state of thoracic transplantation in the United Kingdom and is a useful source of data for workers involved in the field. Thoracic transplantation is still limited by donor scarcity and high mortality. Overoptimistic reports may reflect publication bias and are not supported by data from this national cohort.

Interventional bronchoscopy for the management of airway complications following lung transplantation

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy and complications of different interventional bronchoscopic techniques used to treat airway complications after lung transplantation.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Heart-lung transplant unit of a university hospital.

PATIENTS

From November 1986 to January 2000, interventional bronchoscopy was performed in 41 of 312 lung transplant recipients (13.1%) for tracheobronchial stenosis, bronchomalacia, granuloma formation, and dehiscence.

INTERVENTIONS

Dilatation, stent placement, laser or forceps excision.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Mean (+/- SE) improvement in FEV(1) in 26 patients undergoing dilatation for a stenotic or a combined lesion was 93 +/- 334 mL or 8 +/- 21%. In seven of these patients not proceeding to stent placement, mean improvement in FEV(1) was 361 +/- 179 mL or 21 +/- 9%. Patients needing stent placement after dilatation had a mean change in FEV(1) after dilatation of - 5 +/- 325 mL or 3 +/- 23%, and an improvement of 625 +/- 480 mL or 52 +/- 43% after stent insertion. Mean improvement in FEV(1) for patients treated with stent insertion for bronchomalacia was 673 +/- 30 mL or 81 +/- 24%. Complications of airway stents were migration (27%), mucous plugging (27%), granuloma formation (36%), stent fracture (3%), and formation of a false passage (6%). Mortality associated with interventional bronchoscopy was 2.4% (1 of 41 patients). For patients with airway complications successfully undergoing interventional bronchoscopy, the overall 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 79%, 45%, and 32%, respectively, vs 87%, 69%, and 56% for those without airway complications (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Only a small number of patients with airway stenosis after lung transplantation will respond to bronchial dilatation alone. Patients with airway complications after lung transplantation have a higher mortality than patients without airway complications.

Burkholderia cepacia complex: a contraindication to lung transplantation in cystic fibrosis?

Previous studies have indicated that pulmonary infection with Burkholderia cepacia is associated with poor clinical outcome after lung transplantation in cystic fibrosis (CF). Many treatment centers consider B. cepacia infection an absolute contraindication to lung transplantation. However, the B. cepacia complex actually consists of several closely related bacterial species. Although each of these has been isolated from CF sputum culture, certain species are much more frequently recovered than others, and it is not yet clear whether all species have the same potential for virulence in CF. Additional study is needed to better define the relative risks associated with each species of the B. cepacia complex.

Pulmonary artery systolic pressures estimated by echocardiogram vs cardiac catheterization in patients awaiting lung transplantation

BACKGROUND

At many lung transplant centers, right heart catheterization and transthoracic echocardiogram are part of the routine pre-transplant evaluation to measure pulmonary pressures. Because decisions regarding single vs bilateral lung transplant procedures and the need for cardiopulmonary bypass are often made based on pulmonary artery systolic pressures, we sought to examine the relationship between estimated and measured pulmonary artery systolic pressures using echocardiogram and catheterization, respectively.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all patients in our program who had measured pulmonary hypertension (n = 57). Patients with both echocardiogram-estimated and catheterization-measured pulmonary artery systolic pressures performed within 2 weeks of each other were included (n = 19). We analyzed results for correlation and linear regression in the entire group and in the patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (n = 8) and pulmonary fibrosis (n = 8).

RESULTS

In patients with primary pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary artery systolic pressure was 94 +/- 27 and 95 +/- 15 mm Hg by echocardiogram and catheterization, respectively, with r(2) = 0.11; in patients with pulmonary fibrosis, 57 +/- 23 and 58 +/- 12 mm Hg with r(2) = 0.22; and in the whole group, 76 +/- 29 and 75 +/- 23 mm Hg with r(2) = 0.50. Thirty-two additional patients had mean pulmonary artery systolic pressure = 48 +/- 16 mm Hg by catheterization but either had no evidence of tricuspid regurgitation by echocardiogram (n = 22) or the pulmonary artery systolic pressure could not be measured (n = 10).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with pulmonary hypertension awaiting transplant, pulmonary artery systolic pressures estimated by echocardiogram correspond but do not serve as an accurate predictive model of pulmonary artery systolic pressures measured by catheterization. Technical limitations of the echocardiogram in this patient population often preclude estimating pulmonary artery systolic pressure.

Replacing cardiopulmonary bypass with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in lung transplantation operations

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is required in some lung transplantation (LTx) operations. However, it increases risks of bleeding and early graft dysfunction. We report our experiences of replacing CPB with heparin-bound extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in LTx operations. If extracorporeal circulation was anticipated for the LTx operations, ECMO support was set up through the femoral venoarterial route after induction of anesthesia; then, LTx was done as usual. Five thousand units of heparin was injected intravenously during the femoral vessels cannulation, but no more was used during the first 24 h of ECMO support. If necessary, as in patients undergoing single LTx for end-stage pulmonary hypertension, the ECMO support was directly extended into the postoperative period until reperfusion edema of the graft lung subsided. Twelve single LTxs and 3 bilateral sequential single LTxs were done under ECMO support. The advantages of using femoral ECMO rather than conventional CPB in LTx operations were the operative field was not disturbed by the bypass cannula, stable cardiopulmonary function and normothermia were maintained throughout the operations, there were less blood loss and transfusion requirements, and the left LTx was as easily performed as the right LTx. Red blood cell transfusion requirements during the operation and the first postoperative day were 4.4 +/- 2.8 and 2.4 +/- 2.0 U, respectively, in 10 adult patients undergoing uncomplicated single LTx with ECMO support, and 4.3 +/- 1.3 and 1.5 +/- 1.5 U in 8 adult patients undergoing single LTx without any extracorporeal circulatory support. The difference was not significant between the 2 groups (p = 0.53 and 0.32 by Mann-Whitney U test). The ECMO did not increase blood transfusion requirements. In comparison, 13 U of red blood cell transfusion was required in 2 patients receiving single LTx under CPB support. The ECMO support made the postoperative critical care easier in recipients with graft lung edema. Except for 2 cases of primary graft failure, the ECMO could be weaned off and removed at bedside within a short period (27.9 +/- 24.6 h, n = 13) with no major complications. In conclusion, the heparin-bound femoral ECMO rather than CPB should be used for LTx operations unless concomitant cardiac repair is planned.

In the lung aerosol cyclosporine provides a regional concentration advantage over intramuscular cyclosporine

BACKGROUND

Acute rejection remains an almost universal complication among lung transplant recipients. Refractory rejection as well as chronic systemic immunosuppression is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent studies suggest that aerosol cyclosporine may address these issues by effectively preventing acute cellular rejection while maintaining low systemic drug concentrations. This study was designed to evaluate the concentrations of cyclosporine in blood and lung tissue after aerosol and intramuscular administration.

METHODS

Lewis rats were divided into 4 experimental groups: Groups A (n = 33) and B (n = 30) received aerosol cyclosporine 3 and 5 mg/kg, respectively; Groups C (n = 33) and D (n = 30) received systemic cyclosporine 5 and 15 mg/kg, respectively. We used high-performance liquid chromatography to quantitate blood and lung tissue cyclosporine levels at timed intervals. We used the trapezoidal rule to approximate area under the concentration vs time curve (AUC).

RESULTS

Aerosol delivery of cyclosporine resulted in higher and more rapid peak drug levels in lung tissue samples than did systemic delivery. At an equivalent 5 mg/kg dose, the cyclosporine AUC was 3 times higher with aerosol delivery than with intramuscular delivery in lung tissue (477,965 vs 157,706 ng x hour/g, respectively). The lung tissue: blood AUC ratio was highest in the aerosol groups (27.3:1 and 17.4:1) compared with the intramuscular groups (8.1:1 and 9.4:1).

CONCLUSION

Local aerosol inhalation delivery of cyclosporine provides a regional advantage over systemic intramuscular therapy by providing higher peak concentrations and greater lung tissue exposure.

Segmental nonanastomotic bronchial stenosis after lung transplantation

BACKGROUND

Nonanastomotic distal bronchial stenosis has been observed in some patients after lung transplantation. We investigated its relationship with acute cellular rejection (ACR), infection, and ischemia.

METHODS

Between January 1994 and December 1997, 246 lung transplantations were performed at our hospital. These cases were retrospectively reviewed and evaluated to identify those patients with nonanastomotic bronchial stenosis.

RESULTS

Six patients had bronchial stenosis within the grafted airway distal to the uninvolved anastomotic site. The average ACR before stenosis was 1.9 compared with 1.6 in a control group. ACR at the time of first recognition of the stenosis ranged from A2 to A3.5, with an average value of A2.9. All 6 patients demonstrated alloreactive airway inflammation before and at the time of stenosis. Four patients had evidence of ischemic damage in the perioperative period.

CONCLUSIONS

Segmental nonanastomotic large airway stenosis after lung transplantation should be assessed separately from anastomotic complications. Although the pathogenesis is unclear, certainly one should consider alloreactive injury, ischemic damage, and infection as individual and coercive causes.

Secondary pulmonary hypertension does not adversely affect outcome after single lung transplantation

OBJECTIVE

Primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension have been associated with poor outcomes after single lung transplantation. Some groups advocate double lung transplantation and the routine use of cardiopulmonary bypass during transplantation in this population. However, the optimal procedure for these patients remains controversial. The goal of our study was to determine the safety of single lung transplantation without cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with secondary pulmonary hypertension.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 76 consecutive patients with pulmonary parenchymal disease who underwent single lung transplantation from 1992 to 1998. Recipients were stratified according to preoperative mean pulmonary artery pressure. Secondary pulmonary hypertension was defined as parenchymal lung disease with a preoperative mean pulmonary artery pressure of 30 mm Hg or more. Patients with primary pulmonary hypertension or Eisenmenger's syndrome were excluded from analysis.

RESULTS

Eighteen of 76 patients had secondary pulmonary hypertension. No patient with secondary pulmonary hypertension required cardiopulmonary bypass, whereas 1 patient without pulmonary hypertension required bypass. After the operation, no significant differences were seen in lung injury as measured by chest radiograph score and PaO(2)/FIO(2) ratio, the requirement for inhaled nitric oxide, the length of mechanical ventilation, the intensive care unit or hospital length of stay, and 30-day survival. There were no differences in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second or 6-minute walk at 1 year, or the incidence of rejection, infection, or bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome greater than grade 2. Survival at 1, 2, and 4 years after transplantation was 86%, 79%, and 65%, respectively, in the low pulmonary artery pressure group and 81%, 81%, and 61%, respectively, in the group with secondary pulmonary hypertension (P >.2).

CONCLUSION

We found that patients with pulmonary parenchymal disease and concomitant secondary pulmonary hypertension had successful outcomes as measured by early and late allograft function and appear to have acceptable long-term survival after single lung transplantation. Our results do not support the routine use of cardiopulmonary bypass or double lung transplantation for patients with this disorder.

Surveillance transbronchial lung biopsies: implication for survival after lung transplantation

OBJECTIVES

We wished to determine whether early rejection after lung transplantation as assessed by surveillance transbronchial biopsy predicts for survival.

METHODS

Between 1990 and 1997, 96 consecutive patients had lung transplantation: 89 had a minimum 1-month follow-up. For 71 consecutive patients we have 1-year follow-up and for 69 patients we have the results of the first 3 biopsies. Cytomegalovirus status, bronchiolitis obliterans prevalence, and use of total lymphoid irradiation are noted. Biopsies were done at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months. Standard immunosuppression consisted of induction antilymphocyte globulin and high-dose methylprednisolone induction for 1 week and standard maintenance triple therapy. Acute rejection treatment was with pulse methylprednisolone. Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome was treated with total lymphoid irradiation and a change to tacrolimus and mycophenolate. Blinded grading using International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation classification was done retrospectively.

RESULTS

Survival at 1 month and 1, 2, and 3 years for the 96-patient cohort with 1-year follow-up was 93%, 74%, 62%, and 56%. Survival was not significantly different for subsets with rejection on any combination of the first 3 biopsies (1/3, 2/3, 3/3) or absence of rejection on the first 3 biopsies. Ninety-one positive biopsy results were graded. Eighteen of 71 patients had one or more moderate or severe rejection episodes without survival difference relative to the others. There was no statistically significant association between acute rejection on the first 3 surveillance biopsy results and bronchiolitis obliterans.

CONCLUSIONS

Intensive induction and maintenance immunotherapy with surveillance transbronchial biopsies and aggressive treatment of acute rejection is associated with a survival similar to that of patients without early acute rejection. This regimen appears to uncouple the association between early acute rejection and bronchiolitis obliterans. Further study may elucidate this mechanism.

Role of fine-needle aspiration in the clinical management of solid organ transplant recipients: a review

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the clinical course of the solid-organ transplant population at our institutions to determine the role of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in the clinical management of this subgroup of patients.

METHODS

1196 allograft recipients (522 liver, 288 cardiac, 250 renal, 131 lung, 5 heart and lung) were reviewed. A total of 62 (5.2%) (32 liver, 23 heart, 6 lung, and 1 renal) transplant patients underwent an FNA procedure. Thirty-seven males and 25 females were included, ranging in age from 18 to 71 years (mean 50 years).

RESULTS

Of the 62 fine-needle aspirates, 29 (47%) were neoplastic. The most common malignancies aspirated were malignant solid tumors (15 cases)-including 8 epithelial malignancies, 5 hepatocellular carcinomas, and 2 mesenchymal neoplasms-followed by posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (14 cases). Thirteen (21%) aspirates were inflammatory. The remaining 20 (32%) cases were benign aspirates from various sites (9 liver, 3 breast, 2 thyroid, 2 soft tissue, 2 lung, and 2 vertebral body). Surgical and/or autopsy material was available in 34 cases (55%). There was agreement between the tissue diagnosis and FNA material in 33 cases (97%). One case (3%) was a false negative. No false-positive cases were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that over 50% of the aspirates were benign, justifying a conservative approach in the clinical management of these patients. Histologic correlation was available in 54% of the cases with an overall specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 97%. We conclude that FNA is a highly sensitive and specific technique in the evaluation of lesions occurring in posttransplant patients. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol)

Adhesion molecules in patients after lung transplantation

Leukocyte adhesion molecules, such as intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and its ligands, are involved in inflammatory processes of the lung. For ICAM-1, differential expression during different kinds of complications after transplantation has been proposed. We analyzed the role of ICAM-1, CD18, CD11a, CD11b, and CD11c during episodes of rejection or infection in patients after lung transplantation and compared the results to episodes without apparent complication. A total of 98 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples and 90 serum samples were analyzed. ICAM-1, CD18, CD11a, CD11b, and CD11c expressions were detected immunocytochemically on alveolar macrophages. Soluble ICAM-1 was quantified in serum and BAL. In the control group, 49.8 +/- 18% of macrophages stained positive for CD11b. During rejection, the mean of cells showing CD11b on the surface was significantly higher (64.6 +/-11.4%) with no difference compared to episodes of infection (59.7 +/-22.7). All other epitopes were not expressed differently with regard to a normal clinical course or episodes of infection and rejections. In summary, assessment of ICAM-1 and corresponding ligands did not allow for a reliable discrimination between episodes of rejection or infection in lung transplantation.

Lung transplantation: a decade of experience

OBJECTIVE

To review the 10-year clinical experience of a single institution's adult lung transplant program.

METHODS

Since July 1988, 450 lung transplants have been performed in 443 patients. Recipient diagnoses included emphysema in 229 patients, cystic fibrosis in 70 patients, pulmonary fibrosis in 48 patients, pulmonary hypertension in 49 patients, and miscellaneous end-stage lung diseases in 47 patients. Single-lung transplant was performed in 157 cases, bilateral sequential lung transplant in 283 cases, en bloc double-lung transplant in 8 cases, and heart-lung transplant in 2 cases. Graft lungs were obtained from local donors in 24% of cases and from distant donors in 76% of cases. Ideal donors were used in 74% of cases; in 26%, the donor was classified as marginal based on objective criteria.

RESULTS

Four hundred six (91.6%) lung transplant recipients survived to hospital discharge. There were 37 hospital deaths from cardiac events (n = 8), primary graft failure (n = 8), sepsis (n = 6), anastomotic dehiscence (n = 6), and other causes (n = 9). A diagnosis of chronic rejection (bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome [BOS]) was made in 191 patients (42.5%). BOS has not been improved by any specific therapy. Rates of freedom from BOS at 1, 3, and 5 years after the transplant are 82%, 42%, and 25%. One-, 3-, and 5-year actuarial survival rate for the entire group are 83%, 70%, and 54%. There is no statistical difference in survival according to diagnosis or type of lung transplant. Recipient waiting time was 116 days in the first 90 patients and 634 days in the most recent 90 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Lung transplantation offers patients with end-stage lung disease acceptable prospects for 5-year survival. Chronic rejection and long waiting lists for donor lungs continue to be major problems facing lung transplant programs. The use of marginal and distant donors is a successful strategy in improving donor availability.

Maximizing the utilization of donor organs offered for lung transplantation

The number of patients awaiting lung transplantation (LT) and waiting time for surgery is increasing. In Australia, LT rates are 4. 6/million population/yr, which despite low organ donation rates, are the highest published in the world. The Australian organ allocation system allows identification of marginal donors and therapeutic manipulation where appropriate. This study aims to assess the impact of utilization of marginal donors and aggressive donor management. A comparison between published donor criteria and local practice is made, allowing assessment of the effect of using marginal donors on outcome. Donor management included antibiotic therapy, strict fluid management, physiotherapy, bronchoscopy and bronchial toilet, and alteration of ventilatory settings including initiation of pressure support. Blood gases were repeated to assess the results of interventions. Between January 1, 1995 and May 31, 1998, we performed 140 transplants from 112 of 219 (51%) lung donor offers. Of these donors, 48 (43%) satisfied all published criteria for suitable donor organs (Group 1 = ideal donors) and 64 (57%) did not (Group 2 = marginal donors). Criteria breached by the marginal donors were: an initial ratio of arterial oxygen pressure to fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FIO2) < 300 mm Hg (n = 20), abnormal radiology (n = 39), pulmonary infection (n = 24), 20 pack-years smoking (n = 5) and age > 55 yr (n = 4). Therapeutic manipulation resulted in improvement in the PaO2/FIO2 ratio in 20 donors (Group 3) who would not otherwise have been used. Immediate and 24 h postoperative gas exchange and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay was not different for recipients from donors from all three groups. Overall survival was 94% at 30 d, 83% at 1 yr, 70% at 2 yr, and 62% at 3 yr and was not significantly different from the three groups. We conclude that organ utilization can be maximized by therapeutic manipulation and utilization of marginal donors without compromising results from transplantation.

Bronchoalveolar lavage in lung transplantation. State of the art

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has become a crucial tool in the management of lung transplant recipients. Detection of pulmonary infectious pathogens by culture, cytology, and histology of BAL, protected brush specimens, and transbronchial biopsies (TBB) is highly effective. Morphologic and phenotypological analyses of BAL cells may be suggestive for certain complications after lung transplantation. For interpretation of BAL findings, the natural course of BAL cell morphology and phenotypology after lung transplantation must be considered. During the first 3 months after pulmonary transplantation, elevated total cell count in BAL and neutrophilic alveolitis are common, representing the cellular response to graft injury and interaction of immunocompetent cells of donor and recipient origin. With increasing time after transplantation the CD4/CD8 ratio decreases due to lowered percentages of CD4 cells in BAL. During bacterial pneumonias, the cellular profile of BAL is characterized by a marked granulocytic alveolitis. Lymphocytic alveolitis with a decreased CD4/CD8 ratio is suggestive of acute rejection, but is also found in viral pneumonias and obliterative bronchiolitis. In the case of a combined lymphocytosis and neutrophilia without any evidence of infection, obliterative bronchiolitis should be considered. Functional analyses of BAL cells can give additional information about the immunologic status of the graft, even before histologic changes become evident but have not been established in routine transplant monitoring. However, functional studies suggest an important role of activated, alloreactive and donor-specific T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic lung rejection. Investigations of soluble components in BAL have given further insight into the immunologic processes after lung transplantation. In this overview, the characteristics of BAL after lung transplantation will be summarized, and its relevance for the detection of pulmonary complications will be discussed.

Lung infections in pediatric lung transplantation: experience in 49 cases

OBJECTIVES

Pulmonary infections, and particularly cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, are a major cause of morbidity after lung transplantation. We report here our results in 49 pediatric lung transplantations.

METHODS

Between may 1988 and 1997, we have done 49 lung transplantations in 42 children (en bloc double lung transplantation (DLT):10, HLTx:7, sequential bilateral sequential-lung transplantation (BSLT):31, single-lung transplantation (SLT): 1). In seven, it was a retransplantation. Among these, 34 were cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, all with multiresistant organisms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia, Achromobacter xylososydans, Staphylococcus aureus). All patients were treated with multiantibiotic prophylaxy adapted to the preoperative cultures. Donor-recipient CMV matching was possible in only 31 cases. CMV prophylaxy and immunosuppression protocols have evolved with time, with a current protocol of IV Gancyclovir prophylaxy for 3 months and triple drug immunosuppression without post-operative rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (RATG) induction. There was no perioperative mortality in the primary transplantations and three early deaths in the whole group (6.1%).

RESULTS

Only five patients had no pulmonary infection. The patients presented 3.2 infection episodes per year, 75% localized on the lungs, 41% during the first 3 months. Among the 13 deaths in the 1st year, 10 were directly related to infection, 60% due to CMV. After the 1st year, in all patients dying of pulmonary dysfunction or obliterative bronchiolitis (OB), bacterial infections were associated. There was no serious fungal infection. Actuarial survival at 3 months, 1, 3, 5 years were 85, 65.7, 47.5 and 28.5%, respectively. There was a significant difference in 3 year survival between patients receiving CMV negative organs (40%) and CMV positive organs (17%).

CONCLUSION

In our experience, as in other's, pulmonary infection risk is important in lung transplantation. Bacterial infections were mainly an aggravating factor of secondary pulmonary dysfunction or OB, and were not the primary cause of death. CMV infections have been very severe and lead us, despite the scarcity of donors, to avoid positive donors in negative recipients, this leads to disastrous mid-term results in our experience, despite prophylaxis.