Outcome of children with pulmonary hypertension referred for lung or heart and lung transplantation

Lung transplantation as an intervention for pediatric pulmonary hypertension

Lung transplantation is a treatment option for selected children with end-stage lung disease and pulmonary vascular disorders. Overall, pulmonary hypertension (PH) is the second most frequent indication for infants and children requiring lung transplants. In pediatric PH patients, timing for listing remains a difficult decision due to patient heterogeneity and varying allocation policies across different countries. Furthermore, perioperative management can be challenging, making interdisciplinary collaboration among surgical, anesthesiology, critical care, and lung transplant teams essential. Because pediatric PH patients typically have preserved cardiac index and exercise tolerance even with advanced disease, they should be referred early even if they do not meet the criteria for listing of primarily adults by International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) published in 2015: New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV without improvement, cardiac index < 2 L/min/m² , mean right atrial pressure of >15 mmHg. Bridging strategies with extracorporeal support should be determined at the time of listing in anticipation of possible clinical deterioration. Bilateral lung transplantation using cardiopulmonary bypass to provide hemodynamic stability is nowadays the standard surgical approach in pediatric centers. The immediate post-transplant period is characterized by dramatic changes in the right ventricle (RV) and and left ventricle (LV) anatomy and physiology, which can be life-threatening. Induction, immunosuppression, prophylaxis, and surveillance are not different from patients without PH. Overall, outcomes in pediatric lung and heart-lung transplant patients for PH are not different from those children undergoing transplantation for other indications. In fact, long-term survival is superior in children with idiopathic PH compared to other diseases, providing most recipients with improved quality of life.

How is organ transplantation depicted in internal medicine and transplantation journals

BACKGROUND

In their book Spare Parts, published in 1992, Fox and Swazey criticized various aspects of organ transplantation, including the routinization of the procedure, ignorance regarding its inherent uncertainties, and the ethos of transplant professionals. Using this work as a frame of reference, we analyzed articles on organ transplantation published in internal medicine and transplantation journals between 1995 and 2008 to see whether Fox and Swazey's critiques of organ transplantation were still relevant.

METHODS

Using the PubMed database, we retrieved 1,120 articles from the top ten internal medicine journals and 4,644 articles from the two main transplantation journals (Transplantation and American Journal of Transplantation). Out of the internal medicine journal articles, we analyzed those in which organ transplantation was the main topic (349 articles). A total of 349 articles were randomly selected from the transplantation journals for content analysis.

RESULTS

In our sample, organ transplantation was described in positive terms and was presented as a routine treatment. Few articles addressed ethical issues, patients' experiences and uncertainties related to organ transplantation. The internal medicine journals reported on more ethical issues than the transplantation journals. The most important ethical issues discussed were related to the justice principle: organ allocation, differential access to transplantation, and the organ shortage.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides insight into representations of organ transplantation in the transplant and general medical communities, as reflected in medical journals. The various portrayals of organ transplantation in our sample of articles suggest that Fox and Swazey's critiques of the procedure are still relevant.

Lung transplantation in children with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

BACKGROUND

Despite improved medical therapy, transplantation (Tx) represents the only option for end-stage pulmonary vascular disease.

METHODS

Clinical data of children with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) referred for Tx assessment between January 2002 and June 2007 were related to listing decision and outcome.

RESULTS

Seven of the 14 children assessed for Tx were listed. Five were transplanted (lung Tx, n = 3; heart-lung Tx, n = 2) and two died on the waiting list. Mean age at diagnosis was 3.7 (0.4-9.5) years. Time from diagnosis to listing was 3.6 years (range 1.4-9.3). Children listed were in a worse functional class (WHO 3.5 vs. 2.5; P = 0.0006), had a lower SpO(2) on exercise (76.5% vs. 89%; P = 0.0001) and a shorter 6-min walk distance (154 m vs. 330 m; P < 0.01) than those not listed. Right ventricular function was worse in those listed (P = 0.03), as was pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) on vasodilator testing (34 U m(2) vs. 14.6 U m(2); P = 0.03). Age at diagnosis and at assessment, weight, height, mean pulmonary artery pressure, baseline PVRI, B-type natriuretic peptide, spirometry and resting-SO(2) did not differ between the two groups. For the five children transplanted, median waiting time was 81 days. Age at Tx was 5.4 years. After 2.8 years all transplanted children are alive with a good functional outcome. Two patients died on the active waiting list. All children considered too well for listing are still alive and stable on treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Outcome after transplantation in children with IPAH has been encouraging. Defining listing criteria for these patients remains a challenge.

Surgical Treatments/Interventions for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

While considerable advances have been achieved in the medical treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) over the past decade, surgical and interventional approaches continue to have important roles in those patients for whom medical therapy is unavailable or has been unsuccessful. These techniques include pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, thoracic transplantation, and atrial septostomy. This chapter will provide evidence-based recommendations for the selection and timing of surgical and interventional treatments of PAH for physicians involved in the care of these complex patients.