Lung transplantation: overall approach regarding its major aspects

Clinical characteristics and outcomes in adult cystic fibrosis patients with severe lung disease in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil

Background

Advanced lung disease in adult cystic fibrosis (CF) drives most clinical care requirements. The aim was to evaluate outcome (time to death while in the study) in a cohort of adult CF patients with severe lung disease, and to determine the association among baseline patient characteristics and outcome.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed and clinical records between 2000 and 2015 were reviewed. Severe lung disease was defined as forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV₁) < 30% of predicted. Outcomes of all patients, including their date of death or transplantation, were determined till January 1st, 2016. Clinical data were recorded at the entry date.

Results

Among 39 subjects included in the study, 20 (51.3%) died, 16 (41.0%) underwent bilateral lung transplantation, and 3 were alive at the end of the study period. Two variables were independently associated with death: body mass index (BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m²) (HR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.64–0.96 and p = 0.017) and use of tobramycin inhalation therapy (HR = 3.82, 95% CI = 1.38–10.6 and p = 0.010). Median survival was 37 (95% CI = 16.4–57.6) months. The best cut-off point for BMI was 18.5 kg/m². Median survival in patients with BMI < 18.5 kg/m² was 36 months (95% CI = 18.7–53.3).

Conclusion

Median survival of CF subjects with FEV₁ < 30% was 37 months. BMI and tobramycin inhalation therapy were independently associated with death. Median survival in patients with BMI < 18.5 kg/m² was significantly lower than in patients with BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m². The association of tobramycin inhalation with death was interpreted as confounding by severity (use was reserved for advanced lung disease).

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Lung Transplantation: Initial Experience at a Single Brazilian Center

OBJECTIVE

To report initial experience from the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients who received lung transplantation.

METHODS

Retrospective study of a single tertiary center in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, a national reference in lung transplantation, based on the prospective collection of data from electronic medical records. The period analyzed extended from January 2009 (beginning of the program) until December 2018.

RESULTS

A total of 75 lung transplants were performed, with ECMO used in 8 (10.7%) cases. Of the patients, 4 (50%) were female. The mean age was 46.4±14.3 years. The causes of the end-stage lung disease that led to transplantation were pulmonary arterial hypertension in 3 (37.5%) patients, bronchiectasis in 2 (25%) patients, pulmonary fibrosis in 2 (25%) patients, and pulmonary emphysema in 1 (12.5%) patient. In our series, 7 (87.5%) cases were sequential bilateral transplantations. Prioritization was necessary in 4 (50%) patients, and in 1 patient, ECMO was used as a bridge to transplantation. The ECMO route was central in 4 (50%), peripheral venovenous in 2 (25%) and peripheral venoarterial in 2 (25%) patients. The mean length of the intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 14±7.5 days and of the hospital stay was 34.1±34.2 days. The mean ECMO duration was 9.3±6.6 days with a 50% decannulation rate. Three patients were discharged (37.5%).

CONCLUSION

Lung transplantation requires complex treatment, and ECMO has allowed extending the indications for transplantation and provided adjuvant support in the clinical management of these patients.

Brazilian consensus on non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a condition that has been increasingly diagnosed by chest HRCT. In the literature, bronchiectasis is divided into bronchiectasis secondary to cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis not associated with cystic fibrosis, which is termed non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Many causes can lead to the development of bronchiectasis, and patients usually have chronic airway symptoms, recurrent infections, and CT abnormalities consistent with the condition. The first international guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis was published in 2010. In Brazil, this is the first review document aimed at systematizing the knowledge that has been accumulated on the subject to date. Because there is insufficient evidence on which to base recommendations for various treatment topics, here the decision was made to prepare an expert consensus document. The Brazilian Thoracic Association Committee on Respiratory Infections summoned 10 pulmonologists with expertise in bronchiectasis in Brazil to conduct a critical assessment of the available scientific evidence and international guidelines, as well as to identify aspects that are relevant to the understanding of the heterogeneity of bronchiectasis and to its diagnostic and therapeutic management. Five broad topics were established (pathophysiology, diagnosis, monitoring of stable patients, treatment of stable patients, and management of exacerbations). After this subdivision, the topics were distributed among the authors, who conducted a nonsystematic review of the literature, giving priority to major publications in the specific areas, including original articles, review articles, and systematic reviews. The authors reviewed and commented on all topics, producing a single final document that was approved by consensus.

Trends and hospital outcomes of lung transplantation among patients with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Spain: a national population-based study (2001-2015)

Purpose

To describe trends from 2001 to 2015 in incidence and in-hospital outcomes of patients suffering or not suffering from COPD who had undergone lung transplantation (LTx) in Spain.

Methods

We used the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database to select all admissions for LTx. Incidence was estimated overall and according to the presence of COPD. Outcomes included infections, complications, length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality (IHM).

Results

We identified 2,896 admissions for LTx. Admission rates rose in COPD sufferers and non-COPD sufferers over time, with higher rates among COPD patients. COPD and non-COPD patients were older, but mean age was higher in COPD patients. Although there was a male predominance among patients, the proportion of women significantly increased over time in the COPD population. COPD patients had lower Charlson Comorbidity Index values than non-COPD patients (score ≥1, 25.83% and 31.6%, P<0.05). We observed a significant increase in infections and complications of LTx or rejection for both groups over time. IHM decreased from 2001 to 2015 in both groups of patients. COPD was a predictor of lower IHM (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.61–0.93) after LTx.

Conclusion

LTx-incidence rates were higher in COPD patients and increased over the study period in both groups. The proportion of women significantly increased over time among COPD sufferers. IHM decreased from 2001 to 2015 in both groups of patients. COPD was a predictor of lower mortality during admissions for LTx.

Burkholderia cepacia, cystic fibrosis and outcomes following lung transplantation: experiences from a single center in Brazil

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the impact of Burkholderia cepacia complex colonization in cystic fibrosis patients undergoing lung transplantation.

METHODS

We prospectively analyzed clinical data and respiratory tract samples (sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage) collected from suppurative lung disease patients between January 2008 and November 2013. We also subtyped different Burkholderia cepacia complex genotypes via DNA sequencing using primers against the recA gene in samples collected between January 2012 and November 2013.

RESULTS

From 2008 to 2013, 34 lung transplants were performed on cystic fibrosis patients at our center. Burkholderia cepacia complex was detected in 13 of the 34 (38.2%) patients. Seven of the 13 (53%) strains were subjected to genotype analysis, from which three strains of B. metallica and four strains of B. cenocepacia were identified. The mortality rate was 1/13 (7.6%), and this death was not related to B. cepacia infection.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study suggest that colonization by B. cepacia complex and even B. cenocepacia in patients with cystic fibrosis should not be considered an absolute contraindication to lung transplantation in Brazilian centers.