Frailty in the End-Stage Lung Disease or Heart Failure Patient: Implications for the Perioperative Transplant Clinician

[Relationship between frailty and functional status in lung transplant candidates]

INTRODUCTION

Lung transplant (LT) is one of the therapeutic options for patients with terminal respiratory diseases. It is highly important to incorporate the functional status and frailty assessment into the selection process of candidates for LT.

OBJECTIVES

Identify the prevalence of frailty in the LT waiting list. Study the relationship between frailty, functional status, Lung Allocation Score (LAS) and muscular dysfunction.

METHODOLOGY

Descriptive transversal study of patients on the waiting list for LT.

POPULATION

74 patients with chronic respiratory diseases assessed by the lung transplant committee and accepted to be transplanted in a university hospital in Barcelona. The outcome variables were frailty status was evaluate for SPPB test, functional capacity was evaluate for the six-minute walking test (6MWT) and muscular dysfunction. The results were analyzed with the statistical package STATA 12.

RESULTS

Sample of 48 men and 26 women, with a median age of 56.55 years (SD 10.87. The prevalence of frailty assessed with the SPPB was 33.8% (8.1% are in frailty and 25.7% are in a state of pre-frailty). There is a relationship between the SPPB, 6MWT and maximal inspiratory pressure, but not with others force values. There is a relationship between the risk of frailty (scores below 9 in SPPB) and the meters walked in 6 but not with the LAS.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of frailty in patients with terminal chronic respiratory diseases is high. Frailty is related with functional capacity, but not with LAS.

The Relationship Between Rehabilitation and Frailty in Advanced Heart or Lung Disease

Background

Frailty increases morbidity and mortality in patients with advanced heart and lung disease. Emerging evidence shows that postoperative cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation can improve the frailty status of these patients. The aim of this hypothesis-generating study was to test the relationship between prehabilitation and frailty in patients with advanced heart or lung disease referred for heart and lung transplantation.

Methods

The study was a retrospective audit of consecutive patients with advanced heart or lung disease referred for transplant assessment between January 2021 and December 2022. Frailty scores were recorded using Fried's frailty phenotype (range, 0-5), and rehabilitation status of patients at the time of frailty assessment was recorded.

Results

Of 286 patients, 124 patients had advanced heart disease (mean age 53 ± 12 y; 82% men) and 162 patients had advanced lung disease (mean age 55 ± 12 y; 43% men). Sixty-nine (24%) patients were robust (score 0), 156 (55%) were prefrail (score, 1-2), and 61 (21%) were frail (score, 3-5). Eighty-two (29%) patients participated in hospital-based rehabilitation, 72 (25%) in home-based rehabilitation, and 132 (46%) in no rehabilitation. Frailty scores were significantly lower in patients participating in hospital-based or home-based rehabilitation compared with patients not participating in rehabilitation (0.8 ± 1.0 versus 0.8 ± 0.9 versus 2.3±1.2, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

This study shows that patients participating in cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation are less frail compared with patients not participating in rehabilitation. These findings suggest that prehabilitation could be beneficial for patients awaiting heart or lung transplantation.

Heart Transplantation-Postoperative Considerations

Heart transplantation (HT) remains the best treatment of patients with severe heart failure who are deemed to be transplant candidates. The authors discuss postoperative management of the HT recipient by system, emphasizing areas where care might differ from other cardiac surgery patients. Working together, critical care physicians, heart transplant surgeons and cardiologists, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, transplant coordinators, nursing staff, physical therapists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation specialists, nutritionists, health psychologists, social workers, and the patient and their loved ones partner to increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Heart transplantation and the role of inpatient rehabilitation: A narrative review

Heart transplantation is a definitive treatment option for patients with end-stage heart failure. Medical and functional complications are common after this procedure, and rehabilitation is often needed postoperatively. Physiatrists caring for persons who have received a donor heart must appreciate the surgical background, the physiologic changes expected, as well as the potential medical complications for which they are at risk after heart transplantation. This review summarizes various topics in heart transplantation including the history of the procedure, exercise physiology and functional outcomes, postoperative medical therapy, medical complications, and special considerations for inpatient rehabilitation in this patient population.

Old Age and Frailty in Deceased Organ Transplantation and Allocation-A Plea for Geriatric Assessment and Prehabilitation

Due to demographic ageing and medical progress, the number and proportion of older organ donors and recipients is increasing. At the same time, the medical and ethical significance of ageing and old age for organ transplantation needs clarification. Advanced age is associated with the frailty syndrome that has a negative impact on the success of organ transplantation. However, there is emerging evidence that frailty can be modified by suitable prehabilitation measures. Against this backdrop, we argue that decision making about access to the transplant waiting list and the allocation of donor organs should integrate geriatric expertise in order to assess and manage frailty and impairments in functional capacity. Prehabilitation should be implemented as a new strategy for pre-operative conditioning of older risk patients' functional capacity. From an ethical point of view, advanced chronological age per se should not preclude the indication for organ transplantation and the allocation of donor organs.

Functional status predicts pediatric heart transplant outcomes: A united network for organ sharing (UNOS) database study

BACKGROUND

Functional status predicts waitlist survival in adult heart transplantation and is an independent predictor of outcomes in pediatric liver transplantation. This has not been studied in pediatric heart transplantation. Study aims were to determine the association of: (1) functional status at listing with waitlist and post-transplant outcomes, and (2) functional status at transplant with post-transplant outcomes in pediatric heart transplantation.

METHODS

Retrospective United Network of Organ Sharing database study of pediatric patients listed for heart transplant between 2005 and 2019 with Lansky Play Performance Scale (LPPS) scores at listing. Standard statistical methods were used to assess relationships between LPPS and outcomes (waitlist and post-transplant). Negative waitlist outcome was defined as death or removal from waitlist due to clinical deterioration.

RESULTS

There were 4,169 patients identified, including 1,080 with LPPS 80-100 (normal activity), 1,603 with LPPS 50-70 (mild limitations), and 1,486 with LPPS 10-40 (severe limitations). LPPS 10-40 correlated with negative waitlist outcomes (HR 1.69, CI 1.59-1.80, p < 0.0001). While LLPS at listing had no association with post-transplant survival, those with LPPS 10-40 at transplant had inferior 1-year post-transplant survival compared to those with LPPS ≥50 (92% vs 95%-96%, p = 0.0011). Functional status was an independent predictor of post-transplant outcomes in patients with cardiomyopathy. A functional improvement of ≥20 points between listing and transplant (N = 770, 24%) was associated with higher 1-year post-transplant survival (HR 1.63, 95% CI: 1.10-2.41, p = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

Functional status is associated with waitlist and post-transplant outcomes. Interventions targeting functional impairment may improve pediatric heart transplantation outcomes.

Multimodal Prehabilitation in Heart Transplant Recipients Improves Short-Term Post-Transplant Outcomes without Increasing Costs

(1) Background and aim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of prehabilitation on the postoperative outcomes of heart transplantation and its cost-effectiveness. (2) Methods: This single-center, ambispective cohort study included forty-six candidates for elective heart transplantation from 2017 to 2021 attending a multimodal prehabilitation program consisting of supervised exercise training, physical activity promotion, nutritional optimization, and psychological support. The postoperative course was compared to a control cohort consisting of patients transplanted from 2014 to 2017 and those contemporaneously not involved in prehabilitation. (3) Results: A significant improvement was observed in preoperative functional capacity (endurance time 281 vs. 728 s, p < 0.001) and quality-of-life (Minnesota score 58 vs. 47, p = 0.046) after the program. No exercise-related events were registered. The prehabilitation cohort showed a lower rate and severity of postoperative complications (comprehensive complication index 37 vs. 31, p = 0.033), lower mechanical ventilation time (37 vs. 20 h, p = 0.032), ICU stay (7 vs. 5 days, p = 0.01), total hospitalization stay (23 vs. 18 days, p = 0.008) and less need for transfer to nursing/rehabilitation facilities after hospital discharge (31% vs. 3%, p = 0.009). A cost-consequence analysis showed that prehabilitation did not increase the total surgical process costs. (4) Conclusions: Multimodal prehabilitation before heart transplantation has benefits on short-term postoperative outcomes potentially attributable to enhancement of physical status, without cost-increasing.

Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid (TRPV4) channel inhibition: A novel promising approach for the treatment of lung diseases

Research on transient receptor potential vanilloid-4 (TRPV4) can provide a promising potential therapeutic target in the development of novel medicines for lung disorders. TRPV4 expresses in lung tissue and plays an important role in the maintenance of respiratory homeostatic function. TRPV4 is upregulated in life-threatening respiratory diseases like pulmonary hypertension, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. TRPV4 is linked to several proteins that have physiological functions and are sensitive to a wide variety of stimuli, such as mechanical stimulation, changes in temperature, and hypotonicity, and responds to a variety of proteins and lipid mediators, including anandamide (AA), the arachidonic acid metabolite, 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (5,6-EET), a plant dimeric diterpenoid called bisandrographolide A (BAA), and the phorbol ester 4-alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate (4α-PDD). This study focused on relevant research evidence of TRPV4 in lung disorders and its agonist and antagonist effects. TRPV4 can be a possible target of discovered molecules that exerts high therapeutic potential in the treatment of respiratory diseases by inhibiting TRPV4.

Prevalence of Violence against Providers in Heart and Lung Transplant Programs

Workplace violence in healthcare institutions is becoming more frequent. The objective of this study was to better understand the nature of threat and physical acts of violence from heart and lung transplant patients and families toward healthcare providers and suggest programmatic mitigation strategies. We administered a brief survey to attendees at the 2022 International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. A total of 108 participants responded. Threats of physical violence were reported by forty-five participants (42%), were more frequently reported by nurses and advanced practice providers than physicians (67% and 75% vs. 34%; p < 0.001) and were more prevalent in the United States than abroad (49% vs. 21%; p = 0.026). Acts of physical violence were reported by one out of every eight providers. Violence against providers in transplant programs warrants closer review by health systems in order to ensure the safety of team members.

Decline in Functional Status While on the Waiting List Predicts Worse Survival After Lung Transplantation

OBJECTIVES

To determine if decreases in the Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) while on the waitlist predict decreased survival after lung transplantation (LTx).

DESIGN

A retrospective evaluation of the United Network for Organ Sharing database. The KPS was evaluated at the time of listing for transplant and at the time of transplantation. Group I consisted of patients having a decrease in KPS during the time on the waiting list (from the time of listing to the time of transplant), and Group II consisted of patients whose KPS stayed the same or increased during the same period. The authors used propensity-score weighting for comparisons of these groups.

SETTING

Retrospective observational database review.

PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients undergoing lung transplantation.

INTERVENTIONS

None. Patients were stratified according to a change in their KPS.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Patient and graft survival of patients with decreasing or not decreasing KPS were compared. Of the 27,558 subjects included in the analysis, 17,986 (65%) had worsening KPS, which was associated with worse graft (p = 0.0003) and patient (p = 0.0019) survival after LTx. Using multivariate regression, a decrease in KPS of ≥40 was associated with decreased survival, and an increase of ≥40 was associated with improved survival (HR = 1.245, 95% CI [1.181-1.312], p < 0.0001 and HR = 0.866, 95% CI [0.785, 0.955], respectively). Among patients with a KPS <40 at the time of transplant, those with a decrease in KPS of ≥40 had decreased graft and patient survival compared with those with a smaller decrease (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0021, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Deterioration of KPS on the waiting list for LTx is associated with significantly greater postoperative mortality in patients after LTx. These results should be taken into consideration when allocating organs. Strategies to increase or to prevent a decrease in KPS before LTx should be evaluated.

2022 Update of indications and contraindications for lung transplantation in France

Lung transplantation (LTx) is a steadily expanding field. The considerable developments have been driven over the years by indefatigable work conducted at LTx centers to improve donor and recipient selection, combined with multifaceted efforts to overcome challenges raised by the surgical procedure, perioperative care, and long-term medical complications. One consequence has been a pruning away of contraindications over time, which has, in some ways, complicated the patient selection process. The Francophone Pulmonology Society (Société de Pneumology de Langue Française, SPLF) set up a task force to produce up-to-date working guidelines designed to assist pulmonologists in managing end-stage respiratory insufficiency, determining which patients may be eligible for LTx, and appropriately timing LTx-center referral. The task force examined the most recent literature and evaluated the risk factors that limit patient survival after LTx. Ideally, the objectives of LTx are to prolong life while also improving quality of life. The guidelines developed by the task force apply to a limited resource and are consistent with the ethical principles described below.

Is pectoralis muscle index a risk factor for mortality in left ventricular assist device patients?

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate whether sarcopenia measured from pectoralis muscles is a risk factor for long-term mortality in left ventricular assist device patients.

METHODS

Patients aged >18 years implanted with a left ventricular assist device in a single center between 2013 and 2019 were retrospectively included. Patients without a thoracic computed tomography scan performed within 3 months of left ventricular assist device implantation and without computed tomography scans appropriate for pectoralis muscle measurement were excluded. Pectoralis muscle measurements were made on thoracic computed tomography slices, and pectoralis muscle indices were calculated for each patient. Sarcopenia was defined as being in the gender-specific lowest tertile of pectoralis muscle index. Survival was compared between patients with and without sarcopenia.

RESULTS

The study was conducted on 64 left ventricular assist device patients who met the inclusion criteria. Notably, 21 (32.8%) of the study patients were sarcopenic. Diabetes mellitus and sarcopenia were more common in patients with 2-year mortality in our cohort. Patients with sarcopenia had a worse 2-year survival (p<0.001). Sarcopenia had an adjusted hazard ratio of 4.04 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.36-12.02, p=0.012), while diabetes mellitus was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio of 3.14 (95%CI 1.17-8.39, p=0.023).

CONCLUSION

Sarcopenia defined by low pectoralis muscle index increases the risk for 2-year mortality in left ventricular assist device patients.

Preoperative Evaluation and Care of Heart Transplant Candidates

Heart transplantation is recommended for patients with advanced heart failure refractory to medical and device therapy, and who do not have absolute contraindications. When patients become eligible for heart transplantation, they undergo comprehensive evaluation and preparation to optimize their posttransplantation outcomes. This review provides an overview of the processes that are employed to enable the candidates to be transplant-ready when donor hearts are available.

Anesthetic considerations in lung transplantation: past, present and future

Lung transplantation is a very complex surgical procedure with many implications for the anesthetic care of these patients. Comprehensive preoperative evaluation is an important component of the transplant evaluation as it informs many of the decisions made perioperatively to manage these complex patients effectively and appropriately. These decisions may involve pre-emptive actions like pre-habilitation and nutrition optimization of these patients before they arrive for their transplant procedure. Appropriate airway and ventilation management of these patients needs to be performed in a manner that provides an optimal operating conditions and protection from ventilatory injury of these fragile post-transplant lungs. Pain management can be challenging and should be managed in a multi-modal fashion with or without the use of an epidural catheter while recognizing the risk of neuraxial technique in patients who will possibly be systemically anticoagulated. Complex monitoring is required for these patients involving both invasive and non-invasive including the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and continuous cardiac output monitoring. Management of the patient's hemodynamics can be challenging and involves managing the systemic and pulmonary vascular systems. Some patients may require extra-corporeal lung support as a planned part of the procedure or as a rescue technique and centers need to be proficient in instituting and managing this sophisticated method of hemodynamic support.

Prevalence of Clinical COPD Phenotypes in Patients Who Are Candidates for Lung Transplantation, Complications and Post-Transplant Survival

Introduction

The prevalence of COPD phenotypes that are referred for assessment for lung transplantation is unknown, as well as whether specific phenotype influences post-transplant evolution in those patients who receive it.

Material and methods

Ambispective observational study without intervention. The main objective was to know the prevalence of the different COPD phenotypes of the patients referred for the evaluation of a lung transplant. Secondary objective were to compare their clinical characteristics, to perform an analysis of post-transplant survival or complications according to their phenotype.

Results

502 patients were evaluated for lung transplantation, of which 173 met the study criteria. 31.21% of the patients were discarded for transplantation on a first visit. The final cohort of potential transplant candidates who completed the pre-transplant study was 119 (69%) and 47 finally received a lung transplant (39.5%). The most frequent COPD phenotype evaluated for lung transplantation was the exacerbator (59%), followed by the non-exacerbator (38%) and the Asthma COPD Overlap [ACO] (3%). 59.8% of the exacerbator-phenotype patients assessed did not complete the pre-transplant study. Exacerbator-phenotype patients have a lower post-transplant survival (1115.1 days [standard deviation-DE-587]) vs. ACO: 1432 days [DE 507.5] and Non-exacerbators: 1317.8 days [DE 544.7] p = 0.16), although this difference has not been statistically significant.

Conclusions

The most frequent COPD phenotype assessed for lung transplantation is the exacerbator, although more than half of these patients fail to complete the pre-transplant study.

Safety and Feasibility of an Early Mobilization Protocol for Patients with Femoral Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps as Bridge to Heart Transplant

Intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs) can be used to provide hemodynamic support in patients with end-stage heart failure as a bridge to transplantation (BTT). The IABP is commonly inserted via the common femoral artery, which can limit patients' mobility. The Ramsey protocol, developed by a critical care physical therapist, allows patients with femoral IABPs to ambulate with the assistance of a tilt table. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility of a modified Ramsey protocol for early mobilization of patients with femoral IABPs as BTT. This is a retrospective single-center review of patients with femoral IABPs as BTT using a tilt table protocol from May 2019 to May 2020. Primary outcomes were time to successful ambulation, number of successful ambulation events, and ambulation-associated adverse events, including IABP augmentation, waveform, positioning changes, and vascular complications at the insertion site. Twenty-four patients (mean age 55 ± 16 years) underwent femoral IABP insertion as BTT and were mobilized following our protocol. Nineteen patients (79.2%) successfully ambulated with a median of three sessions (interquartile range, 2-4) per patient. The median time from IABP insertion to ambulation was 3 days (interquartile range, 2-5). Twenty-one patients underwent heart transplantation, of which all 19 who ambulated were successfully bridged to transplantation. Early mobilization in select patients with femoral IABPs can be performed safely and successfully, avoiding the deleterious effects of bed rest that have been historically seen in this patient population.

Supportive and palliative care for people with chronic respiratory disease and frailty

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome associated with increased risk of poor outcomes. It is estimated that at least one in five people with chronic respiratory disease is also living with frailty. In this review, we consider recent advances in how frailty can be recognized, and its associated impact on people with chronic respiratory disease. We then discuss advances in supportive and palliative care for those with both chronic respiratory disease and frailty.

RECENT FINDINGS

The interconnectedness of chronic respiratory disease and frailty is being better understood. An increasing number of factors associated with frailty in respiratory disease have been identified, from increased symptom burden (e.g. breathlessness, fatigue) to increased exacerbations and higher mortality. These contribute to accumulating multidimensional losses in reserve, and unpredictable health. Recent advances in respiratory research, while not always with people with frailty, may inform supportive and palliative care to address frailty in chronic respiratory disease. These include rehabilitation interventions to strengthen reserves, advance care planning interventions to help manage unpredictable trajectories, and integrated models of care (e.g. incorporating respiratory, geriatric, and palliative care) to address multidimensional needs.

SUMMARY

Recent evidence supporting the role of rehabilitation, advance care planning, and early palliative care, may be of benefit to people living with chronic respiratory disease and frailty. Models showing integration across multiple specialities and professionals may have the most potential to meet the multidimensional needs of this group. Future research should develop and test models of care that address frailty and/or explore the role of frailty in triggering integrated multidisciplinary input.

Selection Criteria for Lung Transplantation: Controversies and New Developments

Lung transplantation is an accepted therapeutic option for end-stage lung diseases. The imbalance between limited availability and vast need of donor organs necessitates careful selection of recipient candidates, ensuring the best possible utilization of the scarce resource of organs. Nonetheless, possible lung transplant candidates who could experience a meaningful improvement in survival and quality of life should not be excluded solely based on the complexity of their case. In this review, controversial issues or difficult limitations for lung transplantation, and new developments in recipient selection criteria, are discussed, which may help broaden recipient eligibility for lung transplantation without compromising long-term outcomes.

Risk factors for mortality in lung transplant recipients aged ≥65 years: A retrospective cohort study of 5,815 patients in the scientific registry of transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Lung transplantation is increasingly performed in recipients aged ≥65 years. However, the risk factors for mortality specific to this population have not been well studied. In lung transplant recipients aged ≥65 years, we sought to determine post-transplant survival and clinical factors associated with post-transplant mortality.

METHODS

We investigated 5,815 adult lung transplants recipients aged ≥65 years in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. Mortality was defined as a composite of recipient death or retransplantation. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the median time to mortality. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the association between time to mortality and 23 donor, recipient, or center characteristics.

RESULTS

Median survival in lung transplant recipients aged ≥65 years was 4.41 years (95% CI: 4.21-4.60 years) and significantly worsened by increasing age strata. In the multivariable model, increasing recipient age strata, creatinine level, bilirubin level, hospitalization at the time of transplantation, single lung transplant operation, steroid use at the time of transplantation, donor diabetes, and cytomegalovirus mismatch were independently associated with increased mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the 8 risk factors we identified, 5 factors are readily available, which can be used to optimize post-transplant survival by informing risk during candidate selection of patients aged ≥65 years. Furthermore, bilateral lung transplantation may confer improved survival in comparison with single lung transplantation. Our results support that after careful consideration of risk factors, lung transplantation can provide life-extending benefits in individuals aged ≥65 years.

Perioperative management of patients with undergoing durable mechanical circulatory support

Durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices revolutionized the treatment options for patients with end-stage heart failure (HF). Implantation of durable mechanical support has become an integral treatment modality in end-stage HF patients and it is associated with improved quality of life and survival. There is no doubt that this needs an interdisciplinary and interprofessional approach of cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, cardiac anesthesiologists, perfusionists, intensivists, psychologists, assist device coordinators as well as physiotherapists and intensive care. Implantation of durable MCS is a challenging procedure for the anesthesiologist due to the patient’s characteristics and comorbid diseases. It demands comprehensive training, high vigilance and quick response during the acute hemodynamic changes occurring during the surgery. Preoperative risk stratification is of major importance to guide perioperative medical treatment strategies. Most of these patients have several comorbidities and multiple medications. Therefore, to anticipate postoperative end-organ dysfunction such as cognitive dysfunction, pulmonary or renal failure, an interdisciplinary approach is necessary to optimize patient’s prior surgery. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (TTE and TEE), both play an invaluable role in diagnosing the cause and guiding the management in different unstable clinical situations. Especially prevention of postoperative right HF with subsequent necessity of temporary MCS is important as it is associated with higher mortality. The aim of this review is to provide an overview about the current concepts of perioperative management for durable MCS. A multimodal standard operating procedure supports early recovery after surgery and intensive care stay. Standardized perioperative care helps to ensure optimal medical treatment. This review focusses on several major skills of perioperative management of these high-risk surgical patients.

Pathobiology of frailty in lung disease

Frailty is a clinical state of vulnerability to stressors resulting from cumulative alterations in multiple physiological and molecular systems. Frailty assessment in patients with chronic disease is useful for identifying those who are at increased risk for poor clinical and patient reported outcomes. Due to biobehavioral changes purported to cause both frailty and certain chronic lung diseases, patients with lung disease appear susceptible to frailty and prone to developing it decades earlier than community dwelling healthy populations. Herein, we review the literature and potential pathobiological mechanisms underpinning associations between frailty in lung disease and age, sex, comorbidity and symptom burden, severity of lung disease, inflammatory biomarkers, various clinical parameters, body composition measures, and physical activity levels. We also propose a multipronged program of future research focused on improving the accuracy and precision of frailty measurement in lung disease, identifying blood-based biomarkers and measures of body composition for frailty, determining whether subphenotypes of frailty with distinct pathobiology exist, and developing personalized interventions that target the specific underlying mechanisms causing frailty.

The impact of severe acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy on survival and renal function of heart transplant recipients - a UK cohort study

Severe acute kidney injury (AKI), defined as requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT), is associated with higher mortality postheart transplantation, but its long-term renal consequences are not known. Anonymized data of 3365 patients, who underwent heart transplantation between 1995 and 2017, were retrieved from the UK Transplant Registry. Multivariable binary logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for severe AKI requiring RRT, Kaplan-Meier analysis to compare survival and renal function deterioration of the RRT and non-RRT groups, and multivariable Cox regression model to identify predicting factors of mortality and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). 26.0% of heart recipients received RRT post-transplant. The RRT group has lower survival rates at all time points, especially in the immediate post-transplant period. However, conditional on 3 months survival, older age, diabetes and coronary heart disease, but not post-transplant RRT, were the risk factors for long-term survival. The predicting factors for ESRD were insulin-dependent diabetes, renal function at transplantation, eGFR decline in the first 3 months post-transplant, post-transplant severe AKI and transplantation era. Severe AKI requiring RRT post-transplant is associated with worse short-term survival, but has no impact on long-term mortality. It also accelerates recipients' renal function deterioration in the long term.

Lung transplantation: a review of the optimal strategies for referral and patient selection

One of the great challenges of lung transplantation is to bridge the dichotomy between supply and demand of donor organs so that the maximum number of potential recipients achieve a meaningful benefit in improvements in survival and quality of life. To achieve this laudable goal is predicated on choosing candidates who are sufficiently unwell, in fact possessing a terminal respiratory illness, but otherwise fit and able to undergo major surgery and a prolonged recuperation and rehabilitation stage combined with ongoing adherence to complex medical therapies. The choice of potential candidate and the timing of that referral is at times perhaps more art than science, but there are a number of solid guidelines for specific illnesses to assist the interested clinician. In this regard, the relationship between the referring clinician and the lung transplant unit is a critical one. It is an ongoing and dynamic process of education and two way communication, which is a marker of the professionalism of a highly performing unit. Lung transplantation is ultimately a team effort where the recipient is the key player. That principle has been enshrined in the three consensus position statements regarding selection criteria for lung and heart-lung transplantation promulgated by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation over the last two decades. During this period, the number of indications for lung transplantation have broadened and the number of contraindications reduced. Risk management is paramount in the pre- and perioperative period to effect early successful outcomes. While it is not the province of this review to reiterate the detailed listing of those factors, an overview position will be developed that describes the rationale and evidence for selected criteria where that exists. Importantly, the authors will attempt to provide an historical and experiential basis for making these important and life-determining decisions.

The reviews of this paper are available via the supplementary material section.

Timing it right: the challenge of recipient selection for lung transplantation

Selection criteria for the referral and potential listing of patients for lung transplantation (LTx) have changed considerably over the last three decades but one key maxim prevails, the ultimate focus is to increase longevity and quality of life by careful utilization of a rare and precious resource, the donor organs. In this article, we review how the changes have developed and the outcomes of those changes, highlighting the impact of the lung allocation score (LAS) system. Major diseases, including interstitial lung disease (ILD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary hypertension are considered in detail as well as the concept of retransplantation where appropriate. Results from bridging to LTx using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are discussed and other potential contraindications evaluated such as advanced age, frailty and resistant infections. Given the multiplicity of risk factors it is a credit to those working in the field that such excellent and improving results are obtained with an ongoing dedication to achieving best practice.

Development of frailty subtypes and their associated risk factors among the community-dwelling elderly population

In order to explore frailty subtypes and find their associated risk factors, we conducted cross-sectional surveys of 5,341 seniors aged 60 and over in China using the Frailty Index (FI) scale. We identified four frailty subtypes, namely multi-frail, cognitive and functionally frail, psychologically frail and physiologically frail. Old age and low education level were the common risk factors among the four subtypes. Being widowed, divorced or unmarried was a risk factor for multi-frail, cognitive and functionally frail and psychologically frail, and male sex was a protective factor against cognitive and functionally frail and psychologically frail subtypes. Having a harmonious relationship with family was a protective factor against multi-frail, and fewer visits to the elderly by their children was a risk factor for psychologically frail. Dissatisfaction with their housing was a risk factor for cognitive and functionally frail, psychologically frail and physiologically frail, and a pension being the main source of income was a risk factor for cognitive and functionally frail and psychologically frail. Exercising every day was a protective factor against multi-frail and cognitive and functionally frail, and a lower level of physical activity was a risk factor for all four frailty subtypes. Our findings confirm the heterogeneity of frailty and suggest that different frail elderly individuals need more targeted care interventions.