Posttransplant anemia in solid organ recipients

The Efficacy and Safety of Roxadustat for the Treatment of Posttransplantation Anemia: A Randomized Study

Introduction

Roxadustat, an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) inhibitor, can stimulate erythropoiesis. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of roxadustat for the treatment of posttransplantation anemia (PTA).

Methods

A total of 150 adult renal transplant recipients who underwent PTA were randomized to either the experimental group or the control group. During the 12-week randomized phase, the experimental group was randomized to oral iron and roxadustat treatment, and the control group was randomized to oral iron treatment only. The randomized phase was followed by a 12-week extended treatment period in which all participants were prescribed roxadustat treatment according to hemoglobin (Hb) levels. All the participants were followed-up with every 4 weeks. The primary end points were the change in Hb levels and response rate throughout the randomized period.

Results

A total of 128 participants completed the randomized treatment period (90 in the experimental group and 38 in the control group). The mean Hb concentration at week 12 was 12.20 g/dl in the experimental group and 11.19 g/dl in the control group. A significantly higher proportion of participants who achieved Hb responses were in the experimental group than in the control group. Differences in serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin from baseline to week 8 to 12 were significant between the 2 groups. The adverse event profiles were comparable between the 2 groups.

Conclusion

Roxadustat increased Hb in adult renal transplant recipients who underwent PTA, with an adverse event profile comparable to that of the control group.

Anemia in liver transplant recipients: prevalence, severity, risk factors, and survival

Information about anemia in liver transplant (LTx) recipients is scarce. We investigated the prevalence and severity of anemia before and within the first-year post-LTx, risk factors for having anemia before LTx, and 1-year survival according to anemia status before LTx. This retrospective cohort study received data from The Knowledge Center for Transplantation database at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression were used to investigate factors associated with anemia and a Kaplan-Meier plot to illustrate the probability of survival. We included 346 first-time adult LTx recipients. The median age was 50 years (IQR: 42-57), and 203 (59%) were male. The prevalence of anemia before and 1-year post-LTx were 69 and 45%, respectively. Male sex (aOR 4.0 [95% CI: 2.2-7.2]; p < 0.001) and each unit increase in MELD score (aOR 1.2 [95% CI: 1.1-1.2]; p < 0.001) were positively associated with anemia before LTx. Compared to autoimmune liver diseases, LTx recipients with fulminant hepatic failure (aOR 0.03 [0.00-0.17]; p = 0.001) had lower odds for anemia. The 1-year survival in LTx recipients who had and did not have anemia before transplantation were 93 and 91% (p = 0.47). Anemia was frequent among LTx recipients, and anemia before LTx did not affect 1-year survival.

Post-Transplantation Anemia and Risk of Death Following Lung Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Post-transplantation anemia (PTA) is frequent among solid organ transplant recipients and has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, the prevalence and impact of PTA in lung transplant recipients is still not elucidated.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult Danish lung transplant recipients between January 2010 and December 2019. The prevalence and severity of PTA were determined during the first three years post-transplantation. Associations between PTA and selected risk factors were established using uni- and multivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 278 patients were included. At one and three years post-lung transplantation the prevalence of PTA was 75% and 52%, respectively. Male sex was associated with increased odds of PTA at all time points (aOR ranging from 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.6, P = 0.02 to 5.9, 95% CI 2.6-14, P < .001). Cystic fibrosis was also associated with anemia at one-year post-transplantation (aOR 4.3, 95% CI 1.2-17, P = 0.03). We found no strong associations between PTA and renal function or viral infections. Excess mortality in recipients with moderate or severe anemia compared to patients with mild or no anemia was borderline statistically significant at one-year post-lung transplantation (aHR 2.0, 95% CI 0.9-4.4, P = 0.07).

DISCUSSION

Post-transplantation anemia is very common in Danish lung transplant recipients. Male sex and cystic fibrosis are independent risk factors for development of anemia. Further investigation on PTA, the underlying mechanisms, and its clinical impact is needed.

Longitudinal Evaluation of Cytopenias in the Renal Transplant Population

Cytopenias, a common complication for immunosuppressed patients, are known to be associated with adverse transplant outcomes. However, there is little information on cytopenias in recipients treated with the costimulation blockade agent, belatacept.

Methods

We compared cytopenia incidence and manifestations in patients undergoing kidney transplant at Emory University Hospital on tacrolimus and belatacept. To reduce selection bias, the tacrolimus group was narrowed to include only patients eligible for belatacept.

Results

Of 1651 patients transplanted between 2009 and 2019, 187 (11%) experienced severe anemia, 309 (19%) experienced leukopenia, and 62 (4%) thrombocytopenia. On multivariable regressions, deceased-donor transplant, cytomegalovirus viremia, and thymoglobulin treatment were associated with risk of developing leukopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. High-risk cytomegalovirus status was also associated with development of leukopenia and anemia. Additionally, azathioprine was associated with development of anemia, and both tacrolimus therapy and Caucasian race were associated with thrombocytopenia. Longitudinal quantifications of hematologic cell lines over the first-year posttransplant were extracted from generalized linear models fit using splines. Only hemoglobin range was significantly different between groups (greater in belatacept patients). Plots of mean cell count for each group suggest an earlier recovery from posttransplant anemia in belatacept patients.

Conclusions

Belatacept patients are not at increased risk of cytopenia but may have improved recovery from posttransplant anemia.

Influence of Pretransplant Factors on Posttransplant Anemia Recovery Rate in Primary Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant Recipients

OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to evaluate the influence of pretransplant risk factors on posttransplant anemia recovery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-center observational retrospective study included 80 deceased donor kidney transplant recipients who had been followed up to 16 months after kidney transplant. Time point of posttransplant anemia recovery was considered the time when hemoglobin of 11.0 g/dL was achieved and maintained for 3 consecutive monthly visits. We collected donor/transplant characteristics (age, sex, hypertension history, cause of death, donor kidney function, expanded criteria donor status, deceased donor score, HLA mismatch, and cold ischemia time) and recipient data (pretransplant hemoglobin, parathyroid hormone, kidney graft function, delayed graft function, acute rejection, infections, surgical bleeding, posttransplant parathyroid hormone, iron stores, and C-reactive protein and tacrolimus levels). We used univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses and Kaplan-Meier plots to determine associations between variables and posttransplant anemia recovery rate. P < .05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

We identified 62 deceased donors (33 male; mean age 50 ± 15.1 years) and 80 kidney transplant recipients (52 male; mean age 47.0 ± 10.6 years). Mean pretransplant hemoglobin was 11.4 ± 1.5 g/dL. Donor age, deceased donor score, pretransplant parathyroid hormone, posttransplant transferrin saturation (all P < .05), and tacrolimus level (P < .01) were significantly related to posttransplant anemia recovery. Kaplan-Meier curve identified that recipients of deceased donors below 60 years old achieved hemoglobin of 11.0 g/dL more frequently and earlier than recipients of deceased donors above 60 years old (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Deceased donor age, deceased donor score, pretransplant serum parathyroid hormone, posttransplant transferrin saturation, and tacrolimus level were significantly associated with posttransplant anemia recovery rate in deceased donor kidney transplant recipients. Anemia recovery was more frequent and earlier in recipients of deceased donors below 60 years than in recipients of donors 60 years old and above.

Systematic review of guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency anemia using intravenous iron across multiple indications

OBJECTIVE

To explore current recommendations for intravenous (IV) iron use in clinical guidelines for iron deficiency anemia (IDA) across different therapeutic areas and identify recommendations, if any, for the treatment of IDA.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted in Medline, EMBASE, BIOSIS, Cochrane Collaboration, and on websites of relevant professional associations. Searches were limited to English publications. 1292 citations were identified, 219 papers were assessed, and 35 guidelines were identified for inclusion.

RESULTS

The guidelines covered a variety of geographies: United States (US; n = 10); Europe (n = 11); "Rest-of-World" (n = 9); and "Other" organizations (n = 5). These covered a variety of specialties. Guidelines defined iron deficiency and IDA generally by serum ferritin and transferrin saturation levels. One-fifth of the reviewed guidelines (7 of 35) included no mention or recommendation regarding parenteral iron's utility in the management of IDA. Fifteen guidelines recommended using parenteral iron in the management of IDA. Fewer US guidelines included recommendations around IV iron than in Europe or the rest of the world. Approximately 60% of the guidelines have not been updated in ≥5 years and consequently do not reflect current evidence on the safety and efficacy of IV iron.

CONCLUSIONS

While national and international guidelines for management of IDA exist, many are outdated and do not reflect current evidence including, but not limited to, parenteral iron use. Urgent consideration should be given to updating and clarifying management guidelines for IDA using the latest treatment modalities and options, particularly in the US.

Outcomes in patients with solid organ transplants undergoing cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE

Long-term outcomes after cardiac surgery in solid organ transplant recipients are limited in the contemporary literature. The objective of this study is to evaluate postoperative outcomes in these patients, including variables associated with mortality and readmissions.

METHODS

All adults undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, isolated valve, or coronary artery bypass grafting + valve cardiac surgical procedures from 2011 to 2018 were included in this study. Patients with solid organ transplants undergoing cardiac surgery were studied. Primary outcomes included operative (30-day) and 5-year mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 11,190 patients underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, isolated valve, or coronary artery bypass grafting + valve operations at our institution from 2011 to 2018. Of these, 129 patients (1%) had solid organ transplants and underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 84), isolated valve (n = 30), or coronary artery bypass grafting + valve (n = 15). Type of organ transplant included 84 patients (65%) with kidney, 27 patients (21%) with liver, 9 patients (7%) with heart, and 9 patients (7%) with lung transplants. The median Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk Of Mortality for the cohort was 2.73 (Q1-Q3: 1.67-6.33). Three patients (2%) had an operative (30-day) mortality. Significant variables associated with 5-year mortality on multivariable Cox regression analysis included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (hazard ratio, 2.44; 1.01-5.90; P = .048) and congestive heart failure (hazard ratio, 4.45; 1.81-10.9; P = .001). Significant variables associated with 5-year readmissions included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dialysis dependence, and concomittant valve surgery with coronary artery bypass grafting. Five-year readmission rate was 88%, and patients with valve operations (± coronary artery bypass grafting) had significantly lower (P = .009) freedom from readmission (6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac surgery can be performed with low operative mortality and good long-term survival in patients with solid organ transplants. Five-year hospital readmissions are common, with significantly more readmissions in patients who had valve procedures.

Cardiac surgery in the heart transplant recipient: Outcome analysis and long-term results

BACKGROUND

Survival rates following cardiac transplantation continue to improve. Due to the scarcity of available organs, extended donor criteria have become more prevalent in clinical practice. In this context, the risk of developing cardiac pathology requiring surgical correction is increasing.

METHODS

Between January 1991 and October 2010, a total of 479 patients received cardiac transplantations at the University Hospital Heidelberg. Of those, 18 (3.8%) patients required subsequent cardiac surgery until 2018. Short- and long-term analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Indications for cardiac surgery included valvular disease (n = 16) with the majority of cases affecting the tricuspid valve (n = 10), while 6 patients received mitral valve surgery, of whom 3 patients underwent concomitant valve surgery. Other indications included CABG (n = 1) and re-transplantation (n = 1) for allograft dysfunction. Mean follow-up time was 6.5 years, while mean interval to surgery was 6.0 years. Early mortality was 11.1% (n = 2), while overall survival at 1, 5, and 10 years were, 88.1%, 81.4%, and 52.2%, respectively. Compared to an overall survival of that transplant cohort at 1, 5, and 10 years of 76.7%, 66.7%, and 52.4% percent, respectively (P = .271).

CONCLUSION

According to our data, redo cardiac surgery can be performed with acceptable mortality and morbidity. Atrioventricular valve pathology plays a chief role in these patients.

Anesthetic Considerations in Transplant Recipients for Nontransplant Surgery

As solid organ transplantation increases and patient survival improves, it will become more common for these patients to present for nontransplant surgery. Recipients may present with medical problems unique to the transplant, and important considerations are necessary to keep the transplanted organ functioning. A comprehensive preoperative examination with specific focus on graft functioning is required, and the anesthesiologist needs pay close attention to considerations of immunosuppressive regimens, blood product administration, and the risk benefits of invasive monitoring in these immunosuppressed patients. This article reviews the posttransplant physiology and anesthetic considerations for patients after solid organ transplantation.

Clinical risk factors associated with the post-transplant anemia in kidney transplant patients

BACKGROUND

Anemia is a very common occurrence in post-renal transplant patients. Post-transplantation anemia (PTA) is associated with significant graft loss or cardiovascular morbidity. The objective of this study is to identify clinical risk factors associated with anemia after kidney transplantation.

METHODS

Our retrospective cohort study included a total of 570 renal transplant recipients. For the definition of anemia, we adopted "the lower limit of normal for Hgb concentration of blood" proposed by Beutler E and Waalen J [14], which has adjustments for age, gender and ethnicity. Post-transplant anemia (PTA) was defined as anemia that arose between 30 and 180days after transplantation. Based on this definition, of the 570 renal transplant recipients, 344 patients (62.1%) experienced PTA. The patients were divided into anemic and non-anemic groups, and a total of 20 clinical factors were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

In the univariate analysis, age, race, multiple transplants, delayed graft function (DGF), and use of tacrolimus, sirolimus, thymoglobulin, ganciclovir, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs were associated with PTA. In the multivariate analysis, age (>60years old, OR=2.62, p=0.001), race (OR=2.54, p=0.001), and use of sirolimus (OR=2.01, p=0.019), antiviral agents (OR=1.96, p=0.015), thymoglobulin (OR=1.86, p=0.011), and DGF (OR=2.78, p=0.001) remained significant.

CONCLUSION

The current results show that undergoing a transplant at age 60 or older, use of sirolimus, antiviral agents, and thymoglobulin are independent clinical risk factors associated with PTA. In terms of ethnicity, AA, MEA, or PI is higher risk for PTA and Hispanic is significantly lower risk for PTA compared to Caucasians.

Anemia in children following renal transplantation-results from the ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry

BACKGROUND

Our aim was to determine the prevalence of sub-target hemoglobin (Hb) levels in children with a renal allograft and to identify potential determinants associated with these Hb levels.

METHODS

Data from 3669 children with a functioning renal allograft, aged <18 years between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2012, from 20 European countries were retrieved from the ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry, providing 16,170 Hb measurements.

RESULTS

According to the NKF/KDOQI classification and the UK-NICE guidelines, 49.8 and 7.8% of the patients, respectively, were anemic. Hb levels were strongly associated with graft function, with Hb levels of 12.6 g/dl in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 1, declining to 10.7 g/dl in children with CKD stage 5 (P < 0.001). Higher Hb levels were associated with the use of tacrolimus compared to ciclosporin (0.14 g/dl; 95% confidence interval 0.02-0.27; P = 0.002). Low Hb levels were associated with an increased risk of graft failure (P = 0.01) or combined graft failure and death (P < 0.01), but not with death alone (not significant).

CONCLUSIONS

Anemia is present in a significant proportion of European pediatric kidney transplant recipients and is associated with renal allograft dysfunction and type of immunosuppressants used. In our patient cohort, higher Hb levels were associated with better graft and patient survival and less hypertension.

Outcomes of Cardiac Surgery in Patients With Previous Solid Organ Transplantation (Kidney, Liver, and Pancreas)

A growing number of solid organ transplant survivors require surgery for cardiac disease. We examined the effect of having a previous transplant on outcomes after cardiac surgery in these patients from a population-based perspective. Of 1,709,735 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, valve, or thoracic aorta surgery from 2004 to 2008 in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 3,535 patients (0.21%) had a previous organ transplant (2,712 kidney, 738 liver, 300 pancreas). Multivariate logistic regression analysis and propensity score matching were used to determine the effect of a previous solid organ transplant on outcomes. In-hospital mortality rate was 7% for patients who underwent transplantation versus 4% for patients who did not undergo transplantation (odds ratio [OR] 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16 to 2.38). Patients who underwent transplantation were at an increased risk for acute renal failure (OR 1.62, CI 1.36 to 1.94) and blood transfusions (OR 1.63, CI 1.36 to 1.95). Median length of stay was longer (10 vs 9 days), with greater median total charges ($111,362 vs $102,221; both p <0.001). Occurrence of stroke, gastrointestinal complication, infection, and pneumonia was similar between groups. In conclusion, previous solid organ transplantation is an incremental risk factor for postoperative mortality after cardiac surgery. Renal protective strategies and bleeding control should be stressed to mitigate complications.

Post-renal transplantation anemia at 12 months: prevalence, risk factors, and impact on clinical outcomes

PURPOSE

To investigate any association between post-transplantation anemia (PTA) and clinical outcomes following living donor kidney transplantation.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 887 patients who received living donor kidney transplantations at our medical center between January 2006 and December 2012 to evaluate whether PTA, defined as serum hemoglobin (Hb) levels of <130 g/l in men and <120 g/l in women, at 12 months is associated with post-transplant outcomes, including graft function, death-censored graft survival, or patient survival.

RESULTS

The prevalence of PTA at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months was 84.3, 39.5, 26.2, and 21.6 %, respectively. Donor age [hazard ratio (HR), 1.03; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.05] and acute rejection (HR 2.13; 95 % CI 1.28-3.54) were found to be independent risk factors for PTA at 12 months. Recipient age (HR 0.98; 95 % CI 0.95-1.00), pre-transplantation Hb levels (HR 0.99; 95 % CI 0.98-1.00), and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) at 12 months (HR 0.96; 95 % CI 0.94-0.97) were found to confer slight protection against PTA at 12 months. PTA at 12 months was associated with increased graft loss (HR 1.046; 95 % CI 1.045-1.046). For each increase in anemia degree, there was a 2.77-fold greater risk of graft loss (HR 2.77; 95 % CI 1.50-5.13). When stratified according to eGFR, PTA was found to be a predictor of graft loss in patients with an eGFR of <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (HR 4.57; 95 % CI 1.98-10.56) but not in patients with an eGFR of >60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (HR 1.89; 95 % CI 0.13-27.78). PTA was not found to be a predictor of patient survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Anemia is common after kidney transplantation, and its prevalence declines with time after transplantation. Presence of anemia at 12 months post-transplant was an independent predictor of graft loss, with higher risk of graft loss in patients with anemia and poorer kidney functions.

Bone marrow suppression and associated consequences in patients after heart transplantation: A 6-year retrospective review

AIMS

To evaluate the incidence of bone marrow suppression and consequences of MMF dose adjustment in patients within the first year after heart transplantation.

METHODS

Group I (n=47) was treated with a regimen currently used in patients after heart transplantation (mycophenolatemofetil - MMF, valganciclovir - VGC and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole - TMP-SMX). Group II (n=47) received only MMF of potentially myelotoxic medications. The myelotoxic effect and need for dose modification were assessed. The incidence of rejections and infectious episodes associated with MMF adjustment were analyzed during the first 12 months in Group I.

RESULTS

There was a significantly greater proportion of patients with leukopenia (leukocyte count < 4 x 10^9/L) at 3 months after orthotopic heart transplantation in Group I compared with Group II (19.1% vs 2.1%; P = 0.02). The difference in lymphopenia (lymphocyte count < 0.8 x 10^9/L) at 3 months follow-up was highly significant (38.3 % vs 6.4 %; P = 0.0002). MMF was modified due to bone marrow suppression or severe infection in 63.8% patients in Group I and in only 8.5% of patients in Group II (P < 0.001). Reducing or stopping MMF was not associated with increased rejections. In Group I, at least 1 episode of higher degree cellular or humoral rejection occurred in 35% of patients with the standard MMF dosage compared with only 26% in patients with modified MMF (P = 0.0534).

CONCLUSIONS

Addition of VGC+TMP-SMX to current immunosuppressive medication regimen in patients after heart transplantation is associated with significant lymphocytopenia and leukopenia. Importantly, modification of immunosuppressive prophylaxis (reducing or stopping MMF) leads to normalization of blood count without increased incidence of rejections.

Passenger lymphocyte syndrome in ABO and Rhesus D minor mismatched liver and kidney transplantation: A prospective analysis

The increasing demand for solid organs has necessitated the use of ABO and Rhesus (Rh) D minor mismatched transplants. The passenger lymphocyte syndrome (PLS) occurs when donor lymphocytes produce antibodies that react with host red blood cell (RBC) antigens and result in hemolysis. Our aim was to evaluate prospectively the role of PLS in post transplant anemia and hemolysis in ABO and RhD minor mismatched recipients of liver and kidney grafts and to study the association of PLS with donor lymphocyte microchimerism. We examined 11 liver and 10 kidney recipients at Day +15 for anemia, markers of hemolysis, direct antiglobulin test and eluates, and serum RBC antibodies. Microchimerism was determined in peripheral blood lymphocytes by genotyping of simple sequence length polymorphisms encoding short tandem repeats. Immune hemolytic anemia and anti-recipient RBC antibodies were observed in 2 out of 11 liver (18.2%) and 2 out of 10 kidney (20%) transplants. RBC antibody specificity reflected the donor to recipient transplant, with anti-blood group B antibodies identified in 2 cases of O to B and 1 case of A to AB transplants while anti-D antibodies were detected in 1 case of RhD-negative to RhD-positive transplant. Donor microchimerism was found in only 1 patient. In conclusion, passenger lymphocyte mediated hemolysis is frequent in minor mismatched liver and kidney transplantation. Recognizing PLS as a potential cause of post transplant anemia may allow for early diagnosis and management to decrease the morbidity and mortality in some patients.

Clinical profile and post-transplant anaemia in renal transplant recipients restarting dialysis after a failed graft: changing trends between 2001 and 2009

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical profile, outcome and the prevalence and management of anaemia between two cohorts of renal transplant patients with graft failure restarting dialysis in 2001 and 2009.

METHODS

Cross-sectional, observational, retrospective and multicentre study of 397 patients in the 2001 cohort and 222 in the 2009 cohort. Data were recorded at 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months before the onset of dialysis resumption and during the first 90 days after restarting dialysis (mortality and hospital admission).

RESULTS

Patients in the 2009 cohort were older at the time of inclusion in the study and transplantation, and restarted dialysis therapy with a significantly better glomerular filtration rate. In both cohorts, there was a rapid deterioration of renal function with statistically significant differences in serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate between the monthly intervals -12 and 0. The mean haemoglobin value at -12 months was 11.6 g/dL [7.2 mmol/L] in the 2001 cohort when compared with 12.3 g/dL [7.6 mmol/L] in the 2009 cohort, and at the time of restarting dialysis 9.6 g/dL [6.0 mmol/L] versus 10.6 g/dL [6.6 mmol/L]. The percentage of patients treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, at any time during the 12 months before readmission to dialysis, increased significantly from 61.5% in the 2001 cohort to 96% in the 2009 cohort. There were no significant differences between the 2001 and 2009 cohorts in mortality rate (8.8 versus 9.0%) or hospital admission (31.5 versus 31.1%) during the study time.

CONCLUSIONS

At restarting dialysis, the proportion of patients with anaemia (and its severity) due to progressive graft nephropathy decreased over the past 8 years, increasing significantly the percentage of patients treated with erythropoietin. Differences in morbimortality after dialysis resumption were not observed, this is probably due to an increase in the age of donors and recipients.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in lung transplantation: a review

There has been an increase in lung transplantation in the USA. Lung allocation is guided by the lung allocation score (LAS), which takes into account one measure of exercise capacity, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). There is a paucity of data regarding the role and value of cardiopulmonary stress test (CPET) in the evaluation of lung transplant recipients while on the transplant waiting list and after lung transplantation. While clearly there is a need for further prospective investigation, the available literature strongly suggests a potential role for CPET in the setting of lung transplant.