Risk Factors for Mortality in 272 Patients With Lung Transplant: A Multicenter Analysis of 7 Intensive Care Units

Association between Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia and In-Hospital Mortality in Solid Organ Transplant Admissions: An Observational Analysis in Spain, 2004-2021

(1) Background: To analyze the association between hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and in-hospital mortality (IHM) during hospital admission for solid organ transplant in Spain during 2004-2021. (2) Methods: We used national hospital discharge data to select all hospital admissions for kidney, liver, heart, and lung transplants. We stratified the data according to HAP status. To examine time trends, we grouped data into three consecutive 6-year periods (2004-2009; 2010-2015; and 2016-2021). We assessed in-hospital mortality (IHM) in logistic regression analyses and obtained odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). (3) Results: We identified a total of 71,827 transplants (45,262, kidney; 18,127, liver; 4734, heart; and 4598, lung). Two thirds of the patients were men. Overall, the rate of HAP during admission was 2.6% and decreased from 3.0% during 2004-2009 to 2.4% during 2016-2021. The highest rate of HAP corresponded to lung transplant (9.4%), whereas we found the lowest rate for kidney transplant (1.1%). Rates of HAP for liver and heart transplants were 3.8% and 6.3%, respectively. IHM was significantly lower during 2016-2021 compared to 2004-2009 for all types of transplants (ORs (CIs) = 0.65 (0.53-0.79) for kidney; 0.73 (0.63-0.84) for liver; 0.72 (0.59-0.87) for heart; and 0.39 (0.31-0.47) for lung). HAP was associated with IHM for all types of transplants (ORs (CIs) = 4.47 (2.85-9.08) for kidney; 2.96 (2.34-3.75) for liver; 1.86 (1.34-2.57) for heart; and 2.97 (2.24-3.94) for lung). (4) Conclusions: Rates of HAP during admission for solid organ transplant differ depending on the type of transplant. Although IHM during admission for solid organ transplant has decreased over time in our country, HAP persists and is associated with a higher IHM after accounting for potential confounding variables.

Analysis of Donor to Recipient Pathogen Transmission in Relation to Cold Ischemic Time and Other Selected Aspects of Lung Transplantation-Single Center Experience

BACKGROUND

Infections are one of the leading causes of death in the early postoperative period after lung transplantation (LuTx).

METHODS

We analyzed 59 transplantations and culture results of the donor bronchial aspirates (DBA), graft endobronchial swabs (GES), and recipient cultures (RC) before and after the procedure (RBA). We correlated the results with a cold ischemic time (CIT), recipient intubation time, and length of stay in the hospital and intensive care unit (ICU), among others.

RESULTS

CIT of the first and second lungs were 403 and 541 min, respectively. Forty-two and eighty-three percent of cultures were positive in DBA and GES, respectively. Furthermore, positive results were obtained in 79.7% of RC and in 33.9% of RBA. Longer donor hospitalization was correlated with Gram-negative bacteria isolation in DBA. Longer CIT was associated with Gram-positive bacteria other than Staphylococcus aureus in GES and it resulted in longer recipient stay in the ICU. Furthermore, longer CIT resulted in the development of the new pathogens in RBA.

CONCLUSION

Results of GES brought more clinically relevant information than DBA. Donor hospitalization was associated with the occurrence of Gram-negative bacteria. Positive cultures of DBA, GES, and RBA were not associated with recipient death.

Time Trends in Clinical Characteristics and Hospital Outcomes of Hospitalizations for Lung Transplantation in COPD Patients in Spain from 2016 to 2020-Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

(1) Background: To examine the clinical characteristics and hospital outcomes of hospitalization for lung transplantation in COPD patients in Spain from 2016 to 2020; and to assess if the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the number or the outcomes of lung transplantations in these patients. (2) Methods: We used the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database to select subjects who had a code for COPD (ICD-10: J44) and had undergone a lung transplantation (ICD-10 codes OBYxxxx). (3) Results: During the study period, 704 lung transplants were performed among COPD patients (single 31.68%, bilateral 68.32%). The absolute number of transplants increased with raising rates of 8%, 14% and 19% annually from 2016 to 2019. However, a marked decrease of -18% was observed from 2019 to year 2020. Overall, 47.44% of the patients suffered at least one complication, being the most frequent lung transplant rejection (24.15%), followed by lung transplant infection (13.35%). The median length of hospital stay (LOHS) was 33 days and the in-hospital-mortality (IHM) was 9.94%. Variables associated with increased risk of mortality were a Comorbidity Charlson Index ≥ 1 (OR 1.82; 95%CI 1.08-3.05) and suffering any complication of the lung transplantation (OR 2.14; 95%CI 1.27-3.6). COPD patients in 2020 had a CCI ≥ 1 in a lower proportion than 2019 patients (29.37 vs. 38.51%; p = 0.015) and less frequently suffered any complications after the lung transplantation (41.26 vs. 54.6%; p = 0.013), no changes in the LOHS or the IHM were detected from 2019 to 2020. (4) Conclusions: Our study showed a constant increase in the number of lung transplantations from 2016 to 2019 in COPD patients, with a drop from 2019 to 2020, probably related to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, no changes in LOHS or IHM were detected over time.

Emergency Department Visits Among Lung Transplant Patients: A 4-Year Experience

BACKGROUND

Emergency department (ED) visits by lung transplant (LT) patients have not been well documented in the literature.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze outcomes among LT recipients with ED visits, to better inform clinicians regarding evaluation and treatment.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of LT patients at our ED (2015-2018). Demographics, transplant indication, laboratory studies, ED interventions, disposition, death, and revisit data were collected. Logistic regression models were used to identify univariable and multivariable predictors of ED revisit, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, or death.

RESULTS

For 505 ED visits among 160 LT recipients, respiratory-related concerns were most frequent (n = 152, 30.1%). Infection was the most common ED diagnosis (n = 101, 20.0%). Many patients were sent home from the ED (n = 235, 46.5%), and 31.3% (n = 158) returned to the ED within 30 days. Fourteen patients (2.8%) needed advanced airway measures. One patient died in the ED, and 18 died in the hospital. On multivariable analysis, more previous ED visits significantly increased the probability of 30-day ED revisit. Heart rate faster than 100 beats/min and systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg were significantly associated with ICU admission or death.

CONCLUSION

Infection should be prominent on the differential diagnosis for LT patients in the ED. A large proportion of patients were discharged from the ED, but a higher number of previous ED visits was most predictive of ED revisit within 30 days. Mortality rate was low in our study, but higher heart rate and lower systolic blood pressure were associated with ICU admission or death.

Pneumonia versus graft dysfunction as the cause of acute respiratory failure after lung transplant: a 4-year multicentre prospective study in 153 adults requiring intensive care admission

We aimed to assess the main causes of intensive care unit (ICU) readmissions in lung transplant adults and to identify independent predictors of ICU mortality (primary end-point).This Spanish five-centre prospective cohort study enrolled all lung transplant adults with ICU readmissions after post-transplant ICU discharge between 2012 and 2016. Patients were followed until hospital discharge or death.153 lung transplant recipients presented 174 ICU readmissions at a median (interquartile range) of 6 (2-25) months post-transplant. Chronic lung allograft dysfunction was reported in 39 (25.5%) recipients, 13 of whom (all exitus) had restrictive allograft syndrome (RAS). Acute respiratory failure (ARF) (110 (71.9%)) was the main condition requiring ICU readmission. Graft rejection (six (5.4%) acute) caused only 12 (10.8%) readmissions whereas pneumonia (56 (36.6%)) was the main cause (50 admitted for ARF and six for shock), with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (50% multidrug resistant) being the predominant pathogen. 55 (35.9%) and 69 (45.1%) recipients died in the ICU and the hospital, respectively. Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) stage 2 (adjusted OR (aOR) 7.2 (95% CI 1.0-65.7)), BOS stage 3 (aOR 13.7 (95% CI 2.5-95.3)), RAS (aOR >50) and pneumonia at ICU readmission (aOR 2.5 (95% CI 1.0-7.1)) were identified in multivariate analyses as independent predictors of ICU mortality. Only eight (5.2%) patients had positive donor-specific antibodies prior to ICU readmission and this variable did not affect the model.ARF was the main condition requiring ICU readmission in lung transplant recipients and was associated with high mortality. Pneumonia was the main cause of death and was also an independent predictor. RAS should receive palliative care rather than ICU admission.

Invasive mould infections in solid organ transplant patients: modifiers and indicators of disease and treatment response

PURPOSE

Invasive mould infections, in particular invasive aspergillosis (IA), are comparatively frequent complications of immunosuppression in patients undergoing solid organ transplantation (SOT). Guidelines provide recommendations as to the procedures to be carried out to diagnose and treat IA, but only limited advice for SOT recipients.

METHODS

Literature review and expert consensus summarising the existing evidence related to prophylaxis, diagnosis, treatment and assessment of response to IA and infections by Mucorales in SOT patients RESULTS: Response to therapy should be assessed early and at regular intervals. No indications of improvement should lead to a prompt change of the antifungal treatment, to account for possible infections by Mucorales or other moulds such as Scedosporium. Imaging techniques, especially CT scan and possibly angiography carried out at regular intervals during early and long-term follow-up and coupled with a careful clinical diagnostic workout, should be evaluated as diagnostic tools and outcome predictors, and standardised to improve therapy monitoring. The role of biomarkers such as the galactomannan test and PCR, as well as selected inflammation parameters, has not yet been definitively assessed in the SOT population and needs to be studied further. The therapeutic workup should consider a reduction of immunosuppressive therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The role of immunosuppression and immune tolerance mechanisms in the response to invasive fungal infection treatment is an important factor in the SOT population and should not be underestimated. The choice of the antifungal should consider not only their toxicity but also their effects on the immune system, two features that are intertwined.