Lung transplantation for high-risk patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Survival for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and high lung allocation score (LAS) values may be significantly reduced in comparison to those with lower LAS values.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate outcomes for high-risk IPF patients as defined by LAS values ≥46 (N=42) versus recipients with LAS values <46 (N=89).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed records of 131 consecutive patients with IPF who received lung transplants at our institution between 1999 and 2013.

RESULTS

The mean LAS was significantly higher (59.5, interquartile range 43.9-75.9 vs. 39.3, interquartile range 37.7-44.3; p<0.01) for the high-risk cohort. The higher LAS cohort had significantly lower percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) versus recipients with LAS <46 (41.3±14.1% vs. 53.2±16.2%; p<0.01) and required more supplemental oxygen (7±5 vs. 4±2 L/min, p<0.01) prior to transplant versus recipients with LAS <46. Although the incidence of early post-LTX pulmonary complications was increased for the higher LAS group versus recipients with LAS <46, 30-day mortality and actuarial survival did not differ between the two cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Although lung transplantation in patients with IPF and high LAS values is associated with increased risk of early post-transplant complications, long-term post-transplant survival for our high-LAS cohort was equivalent to that for the lower LAS recipients.

Home Monitoring for Lung Transplant Candidates

Home monitoring by lung transplant recipients has been effective for early detection of clinical problems. This study used an electronic diary for home monitoring by lung transplant candidates to improve communication between candidates and the transplant team. Candidates were randomized into control (52 subjects following standard telephone reporting procedures) and intervention (67 subjects using an electronic diary to record and transmit a range of health-related measures) groups. Outcome measures were monitoring adherence and level of communication (for monitor acceptability and utilization), hospital length of stay after transplantation and survival at 4 months (for clinical effectiveness). Subjects used the diary without difficulty and with good adherence. Subjects and coordinator contacts were similar between groups; intervention group subjects were positive regarding contact based on diary use. There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes between groups. Changing diary questions might improve the effectiveness of electronic monitoring for lung transplant candidates.

Effect of Jewish-Arab Ancestry and Gender Matching on Clinical Outcome of Lung Transplantation in Israel

BACKGROUND

Studies in lung transplantation demonstrate that the ancestry and gender dissimilarities of donor-recipients lead to a decrease in survival of the recipient.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the survival of lung transplant recipients in Israel based on whether the donors and recipients are of Jewish or Arab ancestry as well as survival based on gender match or mismatch.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective observational cohort study of 345 lung transplant recipients at the Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel between January 1997 and January 2013. We compared the survival of lung transplant recipients in two ancestry categories: ancestry matched (Jewish donors to Jewish recipients or Arab donors to Arab recipients) and ancestry mismatched (Jewish donors to Arab recipients and vice versa). We also compared the survival among the four gender donor and recipient combinations (male to male, female to female, male to female, and female to male).

RESULTS

Survival analysis revealed no significant differences between the two ancestry groups (P = 0.51) and among the four gender combinations (P = 0.58). On Cox multivariate analysis, younger donor age was the only significant parameter for longer survival (hazards ratio 1.025, 95% confidence interval 1.012-1.037).

CONCLUSIONS

Gender and ancestry mismatches in these two Israeli populations do not appear to alter the clinical outcomes following lung transplantation.

Technique Resource for Difficult Auricular Anastomosis in Lung Transplantation

OBJECTIVES

Atrial anastomosis in lung transplantation (LT) can present significant technical difficulties, especially when there is a very posterior left inferior pulmonary vein, in donor-recipient disproportion or excessive separation of the receptor's pulmonary veins owing to atrial dilatation; hence, its implementation requires excessive heart handling and longer ischemia time, which result in increased perioperative complications. This technique, which uses the recipient's superior pulmonary vein, avoids these problems, although it is not applicable in all cases because no pressure gradient at the suture level is required. Therefore, the suture diameter must be equal or greater than the sum of both graft pulmonary veins diameters.

METHODS

This retrospective study recorded the age/gender (donor and recipient), preoperative morbidity, type of surgery, perioperative, vascular complications, mortality, and postoperative stay. Descriptive and inferential statistical study was made by SPSS.

RESULTS

We performed 82 LTs between January 2009 and June 2012, 18 with the new technique (14 men/4 women; 52 ± 15 years). There were 14 single lung and 4 double lung transplants. The new technique does not increase the ischemic times when compared with the classic technique. No vascular dehiscence, fistulas, or thrombosis were found. There were observed fewer vascular complications (P = .042). Early mortality was presented in 4 cases (22.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

This new technique achieves the objectives described (no increases in ischemic time, fewer vascular complications). However, an absolute confirmation requires a study comparing similar technical LT given that the new resource was only used in highly complex procedures.

Five-year experience with intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in lung transplantation: Indications and midterm results

BACKGROUND

Since April 2010, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has replaced cardiopulmonary bypass for intraoperative support during lung transplantation at our institution. The aim of this study was to present our 5-year experience with this technique.

METHODS

Records of patients who underwent transplantation between April 2010 and January 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent transplantation without ECMO formed Group A. Patients in whom the indication for ECMO support was set a priori before the beginning of the operation formed Group B. The remaining patients in whom the indication for ECMO support was set during transplantation formed Group C.

RESULTS

Among 595 patients, 425 (71%) patients (Group A) did not require intraoperative ECMO; the remaining 170 (29%) patients did. Among these patients, 95 (56%) patients formed Group B, and the remaining 75 (44%) patients comprised Group C. Pulmonary fibrosis and pre-operative dilated or hypertrophied right ventricle emerged as risk factors for the indication of non-a priori intraoperative ECMO. Patients in Groups B and C showed a higher pre-operative risk profile and higher prevalence of post-operative complications than patients in Group A. Overall survival at 1 year was 93%, 83%, and 82% and at 4 years was 73%, 68%, and 69% in Groups A, B, and C (p = 0.11). The intraoperative use of ECMO did not emerge as a risk factor for in-hospital mortality or mortality after hospital discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative ECMO filled the gap between pre-operative and post-operative ECMO in lung transplantation. Although complications and in-hospital mortality were higher in patients who received ECMO, survival was similar among patients who underwent transplantation with or without ECMO.

Pre-lung transplant measures of reflux on impedance are superior to pH testing alone in predicting early allograft injury

AIM: To evaluate pre-lung transplant acid reflux on pH-testing vs corresponding bolus reflux on multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) to predict early allograft injury.

METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of lung transplant recipients who underwent pre-transplant combined MII-pH-testing at a tertiary care center from January 2007 to November 2012. Patients with pre-transplant fundoplication were excluded. Time-to-event analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazards model to assess associations between measures of reflux on MII-pH testing and early allograft injury. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (c-statistic) of the Cox model was calculated to assess the predictive value of each reflux parameter for early allograft injury. Six pH-testing parameters and their corresponding MII measures were specified a priori. The pH parameters were upright, recumbent, and overall acid reflux exposure; elevated acid reflux exposure; total acid reflux episodes; and acid clearance time. The corresponding MII measures were upright, recumbent, and overall bolus reflux exposure; elevated bolus reflux exposure; total bolus reflux episodes; and bolus clearance time.

RESULTS: Thirty-two subjects (47% men, mean age: 55 years old) met the inclusion criteria of the study. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (46.9%) represented the most common pulmonary diagnosis leading to transplantation. Baseline demographics, pre-transplant cardiopulmonary function, number of lungs transplanted (unilateral vs bilateral), and post-transplant proton pump inhibitor use were similar between reflux severity groups. The area under the ROC curve, or c-statistic, of each acid reflux parameter on pre-transplant pH-testing was lower than its bolus reflux counterpart on MII in the prediction of early allograft injury. In addition, the development of early allograft injury was significantly associated with three pre-transplant MII measures of bolus reflux: overall reflux exposure (HR = 1.18, 95%CI: 1.01-1.36, P = 0.03), recumbent reflux exposure (HR = 1.25, 95%CI: 1.04-1.50, P = 0.01) and bolus clearance (HR = 1.09, 95%CI: 1.01-1.17, P = 0.02), but not with any pH-testing parameter measuring acid reflux alone.

CONCLUSION: Pre-transplant MII measures of bolus reflux perform better than their pH-testing counterparts in predicting early allograft injury post-lung transplantation.

Survival in Adult Lung Transplant Recipients Receiving Pediatric Versus Adult Donor Allografts

BACKGROUND

Recent evidence showed that pediatric donor lungs increased rates of allograft failure in adult lung transplant recipients; however, the influence on survival is unclear.

METHODS

The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database was queried from 2005 to 2013 for adult lung transplant recipients (≥18 years) to assess survival differences among donor age categories (<18 years, 18 to 29 years, 30 to 59 years, ≥60 years).

RESULTS

Of 12,297 adult lung transplants, 12,209 were used for univariate Cox models and Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis and 11,602 for multivariate Cox models. A total of 1,187 adult recipients received pediatric donor lungs compared with 11,110 receiving adult donor organs. Univariate and multivariate Cox models found no difference in survival between donor ages 0 to 17 and donor ages 18 to 29, whereas donor ages 60 and older were significantly associated with increased mortality hazard, relative to the modal category of donor ages 30 to 59 (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.381; 95% confidence interval = 1.188% to 1.606%; p < 0.001). Interactions between recipient and donor age range found that the oldest donor age range was negatively associated with survival among middle-aged (30 to 59) and older (≥60) lung transplant recipients.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric donor lung allografts were not negatively associated with survival in adult lung transplant recipients; however, the oldest donor age range was associated with increased mortality hazard for adult lung transplant recipients.

Infections after lung transplantation: time of occurrence, sites, and microbiologic etiologies

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Infections are major causes of both early and late death after lung transplantation (LT). The development of prophylaxis strategies has altered the epidemiology of post-LT infections; however, recent epidemiological data are limited. We evaluated infections after LT at our institution by time of occurrence, site of infections, and microbiologic etiologies.

METHODS

All consecutive patients undergoing lung or heart-lung transplantation between October 2008 and August 2014 at our institution were enrolled. Cases of infections after LT were initially identified from the prospective registry database, which was followed by a detailed review of the patients' medical records.

RESULTS

A total of 108 episodes of post-LT infections (56 bacterial, 43 viral, and nine fungal infections) were observed in 34 LT recipients. Within 1 month after LT, the most common bacterial infections were catheter-related bloodstream infections (42%). Pneumonia was the most common site of bacterial infection in the 2- to 6-month period (28%) and after 6 months (47%). Cytomegalovirus was the most common viral infection within 1 month (75%) and in the 2- to 6-month period (80%). Respiratory viruses were the most common viruses after 6 months (48%). Catheter-related candidemia was the most common fungal infection. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis developed after 6 months. Survival rates at the first and third years were 79% and 73%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although this study was performed in a single center, we provide valuable and recent detailed epidemiology data for post-LT infections. A further multicenter study is required to properly evaluate the epidemiology of post-LT infections in Korea.

Weight loss prior to lung transplantation is associated with improved survival

BACKGROUND

Obesity is associated with increased mortality after lung transplantation and is a relative contraindication to transplant. It is unknown whether weight reduction prior to transplantation ameliorates this risk. Our objective was to determine whether weight loss prior to lung transplantation improves survival.

METHODS

Our investigation was a two-center, retrospective cohort study of lung transplant recipients between January 1, 2000 and November 5, 2010. Change in weight, demographics, transplant details, lung allocation score, length of intensive care and mechanical ventilator days and graft and patient survival were abstracted. Wilcoxon's signed-rank test and the Cox proportional hazard model were used for analysis where appropriate.

RESULTS

Three hundred fifty-five patients (55% male, median age 59 years) satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria. After adjusting for standard demographic and clinical measures, a 1-unit reduction in BMI pre-transplant was associated with a reduced risk of death with a hazard ratio 0.89 (95% confidence interval 0.82 to 0.96; p = 0.004). This survival benefit persisted in the group with baseline BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) (overweight and obese) and hazard ratio 0.85 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.95; p = 0.003), but not in those with a BMI ≤ 24.9 kg/m(2). The 1-unit reduction in BMI was also associated with a 6.1% decrease in median mechanical ventilator days (p = 0.02) and a trend toward decreased intensive care unit length of stay (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

A reduction in BMI prior to lung transplantation was associated with a reduction in the risk of death and mechanical ventilator days. A greater reduction in BMI was associated with a greater survival benefit.

Survival extrapolation using the poly-Weibull model

Recent studies of (cost-) effectiveness in cardiothoracic transplantation have required estimation of mean survival over the lifetime of the recipients. In order to calculate mean survival, the complete survivor curve is required but is often not fully observed, so that survival extrapolation is necessary. After transplantation, the hazard function is bathtub-shaped, reflecting latent competing risks which operate additively in overlapping time periods. The poly-Weibull distribution is a flexible parametric model that may be used to extrapolate survival and has a natural competing risks interpretation. In addition, treatment effects and subgroups can be modelled separately for each component of risk. We describe the model and develop inference procedures using freely available software. The methods are applied to two problems from cardiothoracic transplantation.

Outcomes in pediatric lung transplant recipients receiving adult allografts

BACKGROUND

Clinical practice in the United States has no restrictions in allocating lungs from adult donors to pediatric recipients.

METHODS

The United Network for Organ Sharing database was queried from 1987 to 2013 for pediatric lung transplant recipients (aged less than 18 years) to assess survival using continuous donor age in years and two donor age groups, ≥ 18 years and > 30 years, for analysis.

RESULTS

Of 930 pediatric lung transplants, basic survival analysis identified a mortality hazard when adult lung allografts were transplanted into pediatric recipients; however, multivariate Cox models demonstrated that continuous donor age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.004, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.992-1.015, p = 0.524) as well as both categoric age groups, donor 18 years or older (HR 0.967, 95% CI: 0.714-1.309, p = 0.827) and donor older than 30 years (HR 1.168, 95% CI: 0.815-1.673, p = 0.398), did not significantly influence the risk for death. Moreover, propensity score matching analysis confirmed a lack of association of mortality risk with donor age ≥ 18 years (HR 1.129, 95% CI: 0.696-1.831, p = 0.623) and donor age > 30 years (HR 1.050, 95% CI: 0.569-1.937, p = 0.876). Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) was found to be a significant predictor of mortality in univariate analysis (HR 2.033, 95% CI: 1.639-2.521, p < 0.001), but the hazard of BOS did not vary across donor age categories.

CONCLUSIONS

Adult donor lung allografts appear not to negatively affect survival in pediatric lung transplant recipients when considering confounders, and do not influence survival through an increased hazard for the development of BOS.

Surgeon's viewpoint on lung transplantation in cystic fibrosis patients - preliminary report

INTRODUCTION

The surgeon's viewpoint on a patient with cystic fibrosis differs from that of a pediatrician or internist. The problems a cystic fibrosis specialist encounters are different from those faced by the surgeon who takes over the patient in a very advanced, often terminal stage of the disease. Hence, the main problem for the surgeon is the decision concerning the surgery (lung transplantation, pneumonectomy, lobectomy). It is, therefore, important to lay down fundamental and appropriate rules concerning the indications and contraindications for lung transplantation, especially in patients with cystic fibrosis.

AIM

The aim of this study was to analyze the methods of qualifying and preparing patients for surgery, as well as carrying out the procedure of transplantation and postoperative short and long-term care.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The investigation was carried out on 16 patients with cystic fibrosis. Three were operated on and 10 were on the waiting list for transplantation. Two patients on the waiting list died, one patient was disqualified from transplantation. During qualification for lung transplantation, strict indications, contraindications and other factors (such as blood type, patient's height, coexisting complications) were taken under consideration.

RESULTS

All the 3 patients after lung transplantation are alive and under our constant surveillance. Ten patients await transplantation, though four of them are suspended due to hepatitis C infection. Two patients on the waiting list died: one from respiratory insufficiency and the other in the course of bridge to-transplant veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation due to hepatic failure. One patient has been disqualified because of cachexia.

CONCLUSIONS

Since lung transplantation is the final treatment of the end-stage pulmonary insufficiency in cystic fibrosis patients, the number of such procedures in cystic fibrosis is still too low in Poland. The fast development of these procedures is highly needed. It is necessary to develop better cooperation between different disciplines and specialists, especially between pediatricians and surgeons. The correct choice of the suitable moment for lung transplantation is crucial for the success of the procedure.

[Transplantations of lungs in the Czech Republic - from the perspective of the pathologist]

Lung transplantation has become a standard therapeutic procedure for patients with end-stage pulmonary diseases in the Czech Republic. There were 246 lung transplantations performed from December 1997 to the end of November 2014 at the 3rd Department of Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Motol University Hospital. The most common indications for transplantation were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 39.4 % of patients, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 28.9 % of patients and cystic fibrosis in 19.1 % of patients. The trans-bronchial biopsy is important for monitoring patients after lung transplantation. The biopsy helps to detect acute cellular rejection, which was found within 63 % of our patients. Patients with the mild and moderate grade of acute cellular rejection got better after the anti-rejection therapy. The severe rejection in three patients led to the shock change in lung and to respiratory failure. Humoral rejection cannot be determined based on biopsy only - the capillaritis and the linear binding of C4d fraction of the complement to the capillaries are inconsistent findings and are not pathognomonic. The classification of chronic rejection, which corresponds to the bronchiolitis obliterans, is limited for the common absence of bronchioli in the biopsy. Therefore, bronchiolitis obliterans in our study group was detected in only 3.7 % of patients.Since the first transplantation, 109 of our patients have survived (44.3 %). After transplantation about 90 % of patients live one year, about 70.9 % of patients live 3 years and 69.1 % live 5 years. An autopsy at our department was performed in 79 cases. The most common causes of death were mycotic infections (aspergillosis, candidiasis), bacterial infections (Klebsiela, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia) followed by sepsis and viral infection (CMV, varicella zoster). At the autopsy, chronic rejection was found in 13 patients and it led to chronic respiratory failure, which was often complicated by an infection. The tumors as the cause of death were mostly generalized carcinomas.

Bilateral versus single lung transplant for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

OBJECTIVES

It is unknown if uni- or bilateral lung transplant is best for treatment of usual idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. We reviewed our single-center experience comparing both treatments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2002 and 2011, one hundred thirty-eight patients at our institution underwent a lung transplant. Of these, 58 patients presented with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (56.9%) and were the focus of this study.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients received a single lung transplant and 19 patients a bilateral sequential lung transplant. The mean patient age was 54 ± 10 years, and 69% were male. The intraoperative course was uneventful, save for 7 patients who needed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Three patients had respiratory failure before the lung transplant that required mechanical ventilation and was supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Elevated pulmonary artery pressure > 40 mm Hg was identified as an independent predictor of early mortality by uni- and multivariate analysis (P = .01; OR 9.7). Using a Cox regression analysis, postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxyge-nation therapy (P = .01; OR 10.2) and the need for > 10 red blood cell concentrate during the first 72 hours after lung transplant (P = .01; OR 5.6) were independent predictors of long-term survival. Actuarial survival at 1 and 5 years was 65.6% and 55.3%, with no significant between-group differences (70.6% and 54.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Lung transplant is a safe and curative treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. According to our results, unilateral lung transplant for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is an alternative to bilateral lung transplant and may affect the allocation process.

Do we need to cool the lung graft after ex vivo lung perfusion? A preliminary study

BACKGROUND

After normothermic ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP), pulmonary grafts are usually flush-cooled and stored on ice until implantation although evidence for this practice lacks. We compared outcomes between 2 post-EVLP preservation strategies in a porcine left single-lung transplantation model.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

After cold flush and 2-h EVLP, donor lungs were prepared and split. In [C], (n = 5) lungs cooled on device to 15°C were preserved in ice-water; in [W] (n = 5), lungs were disconnected from EVLP at 37°C and kept at room temperature. The left lung was transplanted in a recipient animal. Posttransplant, 6 h-monitoring included hourly assessment of pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary artery pressure, plateau airway pressure, compliance, and oxygenation before and after exclusion of the right lung. Lung biopsies and bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed at retrieval, at the end of EVLP (R lung), and 1 and 6 h after reperfusion (L lung).

RESULTS

Lungs in [W] showed the highest compliance (P < 0.05) and the lowest plateau airway pressure (not statistically significant) throughout the whole reperfusion period. Oxygenation and pulmonary artery pressure were similar between groups. Pulmonary vascular resistance was stable in [C], but rose after reperfusion in [W]. Histologic signs of lung injury and BAL neutrophilia were more pronounced in [C] at 1 h (not statistically significant and P < 0.05, respectively). BAL cytokine levels and lung tissue expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Normothermic preparation after EVLP results in similar graft performances compared with lung cooling after EVLP.

Changes in pulmonary artery pressure affect survival differently in lung transplant recipients who have pulmonary hypertension or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVES

Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction can complicate lung transplant. Pulmonary artery pressures affect outcome are uncertain during wait list. We evaluated changes in wait list pulmonary artery pressures on survival after lung transplant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We queried the United Network for Organ Sharing/Standard Transplant Analysis and Research registry from 1987 to 2012 for all lung transplants. Recipients with unique pulmonary artery pressure measurements upon listing and transplant were included. Mean pulmonary artery pressure was rated as increased (increase > 5 mm Hg), decreased (decrease > 5 mm Hg), or unchanged (variation < 5 mm Hg).

RESULTS

There were 23 951 lung transplants and 1677 recipients were included. Diagnoses demonstrated significant changes in mean pulmonary artery pressure during the listing period (P ≤ .0001). In recipients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, survival was poorer when mean pulmonary artery pressure was increased than decreased (P ≤ .03). In recipients with primary pulmonary hypertension, survival was poorer when mean pulmonary artery pressure was decreased than increased (P ≤ .02). Proportional hazards analysis showed that increases in mean pulmonary artery pressure independently affected survival (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-0.96).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the mechanism is unknown, an increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with poorer survival after lung transplant. In contrast, patients with primary pulmonary hypertension with decreased mean pulmonary artery pressure have poorer survival after lung transplant. In patients with primary pulmonary hypertension, changes in pulmonary artery pressure may be a surrogate for a failing right ventricular function. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the change in pressure suggests an undetermined progressive process. Further study of right ventricular function is warranted to determine the effects of changes in pulmonary artery pressure on lung transplant recipients.

Recurrence of sarcoid granulomas in lung transplant recipients is common and does not affect overall survival

BACKGROUND

Sarcoidosis represents 2,5% of all indications for lung transplantation and criteria are generally assumed to be the same as for pulmonary fibrosis. Recurrence of granulomas in transplanted lungs has earlier been proved to derive from recipient immune cells, but its role in relation to lung function and overall survival after lung transplantation remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To identify recurrent granuloma in transbronchial biopsies in patients receiving lung transplant because of sarcoidosis, and relate the findings to overall survival and lung function.

DESIGN

A total of 620 patients were transplanted at this centre from 1992 until august 2012. This study comprised all patients (n=25) transplanted due to pulmonary sarcoidosis. Lung functions, trans-bronchial biopsies, and survival were compared in patients with and without recurrence of granulomas. Granulomas were defined as non-necrotizing epitheloid granulomas with multinucleated giant cells according to standard criteria (formation of epitheloid giant cells) without presence of infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 30% of lung transplant recipients due to sarcoidosis have recurrence of sarcoid granulomas. Recurrence of granulomas does not affect overall survival or lung function.

Pediatric lung transplantation: promise being realized

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Lung transplantation for infants and children is an accepted but rarely exercised option for the treatment of end-stage lung disease, with outcomes equivalent to those for adults. However, widespread misconceptions regarding pediatric outcomes often confound timely and appropriate referral to specialty centers. We present the updated information for primary pediatricians to utilize when counseling families with children confronted by progressive end-stage pulmonary or cardiovascular disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

We provide general guidelines to consider for referral, and discuss allocation of organs in children, information regarding standard treatment protocols, and survival outcomes.

SUMMARY

Lung transplantation is a worthwhile treatment option to consider in children with end-stage lung disease. The treatment is complex, but lung transplant provides substantial survival benefit and markedly improved quality of life for children and their families. This timely review provides comprehensive information for pediatricians who are considering options for treatment of children with end-stage lung disease.

Clinical application of ET-Kyoto solution for lung transplantation

Because of the severe donor shortage in Japan, even after the revision of the Organ Transplant Law in 2010, the frequency of recovery of extended criteria lungs has increased in Japan. We developed a new lung preservation solution, "ET-Kyoto solution," to enhance lung preservation, to minimize primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and to improve the post-transplant outcomes. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed our results of lung transplantation using the ET-Kyoto solution. From 2002 to 2012, 26 patients underwent transplantation of lungs preserved with ET-Kyoto solution from brain-dead donors. We retrospectively reviewed the post-transplant pulmonary function and long-term survival. The graft performance was assessed by the PGD grading system. The mean graft ischemic time was 483.8 ± 19.0 min. The oxygenation capacity after reperfusion and recovery of respiratory function were both acceptable despite the long ischemic time. The survival rate at 5 years after transplantation was 85.1 %. Lungs preserved by ET-Kyoto solution had satisfactory postoperative lung function, despite the long preservation time, with excellent long-term survival. The results were acceptable for the use of grafts with a long ischemic time.

[Lung transplantation]

Lung transplantation is a therapeutic option for patients with end-stage lung diseases. Selection of candidates requires careful consideration of the disease-specific indications and contraindications for transplantation. Advances have been made in candidate selection via the ability to prognosticate outcomes of various lung diseases and through the implementation of the lung allocation score (LAS) with specific consideration of the degree of urgency and good postoperative survival rate, after neglecting the waiting time. This system has resulted in decreased mortality on the waiting list for lung transplantation. The availability of donor organs can possibly be increased by implementation of ex vivo lung perfusion as an alternative to conventional organ preservation. Risk factors for poor outcomes post-lung transplantation have been identified and understanding of the physiological, cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for lung and airway damage has been extensively expanded. Primary graft dysfunction, infectious diseases, acute rejection, antibody-mediated rejection, lymphocytic bronchiolitis, obliterative bronchiolitis, restrictive allograft syndrome, and chronic lung allograft dysfunction are well defined complications and continue to be common causes of morbidity and mortality. This article provides a comprehensive update on these topics for the non-transplantation clinician.

Pediatric lung transplantation: 10 years of experience

Lung transplantation is a well-established treatment for advanced lung diseases. In children, the diseases that most commonly lead to the need for a transplantation are cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and bronchiolitis. However, the number of pediatric lung transplantations being performed is low compared with the number of transplants performed in the adult age group. The objective of this study was to demonstrate our experience with pediatric lung transplants over a 10-year period in a program initially designed for adults.

The Alfred Hospital Lung Transplant Experience

The management of patients undergoing lung transplantation has continued to evolve, leading to improvements in 90-day and 1-year survival. The significant advancements in donor management and utilization at our center have led to significant increases in lung transplant activity without any compromise in recipient outcomes. Through the use of a patient-centered multidisciplinary model of care involved in all aspects of recipient management, from assessment and waitlisting to pre-, peri- and post-operative care, our lung transplant outcomes represent 2015 world's best lung transplant practice.

Management of portopulmonary hypertension: New perspectives

Portopulmonary hypertension (PPHTN) is a known complication of cirrhosis. Moderate-to-severe PPHTN implies an extremely poor prognosis. It occurs in 5%-10% of patients referred for liver transplantation (LT), and probably with an higher incidence in patients with large portosystemic shunts. Patients with moderate-to-severe pulmonary hypertension have been previously excluded from LT because of the extremely high surgical risk and since the post-transplant outcome reported was poor. Recently, new perspectives in the management of patients with portopulmonary hypertension are emerging. In fact, some pulmonary vasoactive drugs have become routine in the treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. These drugs, particularly epoprostenol, have been recently introduced in the treatment of patients with PPHTN, and have been shown to be effective in reducing pulmonary artery pressure as well as pulmonary vascular resistances. Furthermore, recent studies seem to demonstrate that treatment with pulmonary vasoactive drugs could allow liver transplantation with acceptable surgical risks and excellent survival. Although there are not large series nor prospective studies addressing this topic, the clinical scenario of patients with PPHTN seems to be positively changing.