Gender differences in long-term survival post-transplant: A single-institution analysis in the lung allocation score era.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the significance of recipient gender status on lung transplant outcomes in a large single-institution experience spanning three decades, we analyzed data from all lung transplants performed in our institution since 1986. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the effect of recipient characteristics on survival and BOS score ≥1-free survival. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association of gender with short-term graft function. About 876 lung transplants were performed between 1986 and 2016. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates at 5 years post-transplant for females vs males in the LAS era were 71% vs 58%. In the LAS era, females showed greater unadjusted BOS≥1-free survival than males (35% vs 25%, P=.02) over 5 years. Female gender was the only factor in the LAS era significantly associated with improved adjusted 5-year survival [HR 0.56 (95% CI 0.33, 0.95) P=.03]. Conversely, in the pre-LAS era female gender was not associated with improved survival. Female recipients showed significantly improved survival over 5 years compared to males in the LAS era. A prospective analysis of biologic and immunologic differences is warranted.

Loor G ，Brown R ，Kelly RF ，Rudser KD ，Shumway SJ ，Cich I ，Holley CT ，Quinlan C ，Hertz MI ... -  《-》

Lung transplantation in the Lung Allocation Score era: Medium-term analysis from a single center.

In 2005, the Lung Allocation Score (LAS) was implemented as the allocation system for lungs in the US. We sought to compare 5-year lung transplant outcomes before and after the institution of the LAS. Between 2000 and 2011, 501 adult patients were identified, with 132 from January 2000 to April 2005 (Pre-LAS era) and 369 from May 2005 to December 2011 (Post-LAS era). Kruskal-Wallis or chi-squared test was used to determine significance between groups. Survival was censored at 5 years. Overall, the post-LAS era was associated with more restrictive lung disease, higher LAS scores, shorter wait-list times, more preoperative immunosuppression, and more single lung transplantation. In addition, post-LAS patients had higher O2 requirements with greater preoperative pulmonary impairment. Postoperatively, 30-day mortality improved in post-LAS era (1.6% vs 5.3%, P = .048). During the pre- and post-LAS eras, 5-year survival was 52.3% and 55.3%, respectively (P = .414). The adjusted risk of mortality was not different in the post-LAS era (P = .139). Freedom from chronic lung allograft dysfunction was significantly higher in the post-LAS era (P = .002). In this single-center report, implementation of the LAS score has led to allocation to sicker patients without decrement in short- or medium-term outcomes. Freedom from CLAD at 5 years is improving after LAS implementation.

Iyengar A ，Kwon OJ ，Sanaiha Y ，Eisenring C ，Biniwale R ，Ross D ，Ardehali A ... -  《-》

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome occurs earlier in the post-lung allocation score era.

In 2005, the time-based waiting list for lung transplantation was replaced by an illness/benefit lung allocation score (LAS). Although short-term outcomes after transplantation have been reported to be similar before and after the new system, little is known about long-term results. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of LAS on the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome as well as on overall 3-year and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome-related survival. Data obtained from the United Network for Organ Sharing were used to review 8091 patients who underwent lung transplantation from 2002 to 2008. Patients were stratified according to time of transplantation into those treated before initiation of the LAS (pre-LAS group, January 2002-April 2005, n = 3729) and those treated after implementation of the score (post-LAS group, May 2005-May 2008, n = 4362). Overall, 3-year survivals for patient groups were compared using a univariate analysis, Cox proportional hazards model to generate a relative risk, and Kaplan-Meier curve analyses. During the 3-year follow-up period, bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome developed in 22% of lung transplant recipients (n = 1801). Although the incidence of postoperative bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome development was similar between groups, post-LAS patients incurred fewer bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome-free days (609 ± 7.5 vs 682 ± 9; P <.0001; log-rank test P = .0108) than did pre-LAS patients. Overall 3-year survival was lower in post-LAS patients and approached statistical significance (P = .05). Similarly, bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome-related survival was worse for patients in the post-LAS group (log-rank test P = .01). In the current LAS era, lung transplant recipients have significantly fewer bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome-free days after 3-year follow-up. Compared with the pre-LAS population, overall and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome-related survival appears worse in the post-LAS era. Limitation of known risk factors for development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome-may prove even more important in this patient population.

Emaminia A ，Hennessy SA ，Hranjec T ，LaPar DJ ，Kozower BD ，Jones DR ，Kron IL ，Lau CL ... -  《-》

Clinical implications of donor age: A single-institution analysis spanning 3 decades.

We sought to clarify the effect of donor age as a continuous variable on morbidity and mortality in a single-institution experience. From 1986 to 2016, 882 adult lung transplants were performed, including 396 in the lung allocation score era. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association of donor age with overall survival and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) score ≥1-free survival. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association with primary graft dysfunction grade 3. Natural cubic splines were used to explore donor age in a continuous fashion to allow for nonlinear relationships. In the lung allocation score era, unadjusted 5-year survival was not significantly different between 3 a priori-defined donor age groups: age <40, 40 to 54, and age ≥55 years (64%, 61%, and 69%, P = .8). Unadjusted 5-year freedom from BOS ≥1 was not significantly different (34%, 20%, and 33%, respectively, P = .1). After we adjusted for comorbidities, cubic spline analysis demonstrated no effect between donor age as a continuous variable and hazard for mortality at 5 years. Similarly, no interaction was seen between donor age and risk of BOS or primary graft dysfunction 3. Adjusted analysis of all 882 transplants pre- and postinception of the lung allocation score also showed no effect of age on 10-year survival. Long-term survival of lung transplant recipients was not affected by the age of the donor. These findings support the notion that donor age could be relaxed.

Holley CT ，Kelly RF ，Shumway SJ ，Brown RZ ，Hertz MI ，Rudser KD ，Quinlan CW ，Cich I ，Loor G ... -  《-》

Characteristics and outcomes among patients with need for early dialysis after lung transplantation surgery.

With the introduction of lung allocation score (LAS), increasingly sicker patients are undergoing lung transplantation (LT). This study was conducted to determine the time trends in need for dialysis after LT, identify variables independently associated with need for dialysis, and evaluate its association with 1- and 5-year mortality. We queried the United Network of Organ Sharing database for adult patients undergoing LT between 1994 and 2014. We excluded patients with simultaneous dual organ transplantation and where data regarding the need for dialysis were not available. Time trends in the yearly incidence of the need for dialysis showed a gradual increase (P = .012). In the post-LAS era, ethnicity, underlying diagnosis, estimated GFR <90 mL/min/1.73 m2 and mean pulmonary pressures>35 mm Hg, ventilator or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support at LT, and >20% increase in serum creatinine between listing and match were independently associated with the need for dialysis. Patients with need for dialysis had significantly increased hazard of 1-year (n = 13 849; adjusted hazard ratio, 95% CI:7.23, 6.2-8.4, P < .001) and 5-year mortality (n = 7287; adjusted hazard ratio, 95% CI:3.96, 3.43-4.56, P < .001). There is a gradual increase in the incidence of the need for early dialysis after LT, and these patients have significantly worse early and late survival. Several pre-transplant recipient characteristics are independently associated with the need for dialysis.

Banga A ，Mohanka M ，Mullins J ，Bollineni S ，Kaza V ，Tanriover B ，Torres F ... -  《-》