17: A prospective study of a management algorithm to minimise lung transplant (LTx) primary graft dysfunction (PGD) (original) (raw)

Potential Refinements of The International Society for Heart And Lung Transplantation Primary Graft Dysfunction Grading System

The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 2007

Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation and The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) Working Group on PGD has recently reported standardized consensus criteria, based on the recipient arterial blood-gas analysis and chest X-ray findings, to define PGD and determine its severity (grade range, 0 -3). The grading system has been shown to predict post-transplant outcomes; however, further evaluation and refinement of the validity of the grading system is an important next step to enhance its utility. In this review, we describe advantage and disadvantages of the current PGD grading system based on series of analyses we have conducted and possible options for its potential refinement. The suggested revisions are (1) additional assessment time points at 6 and 12 hours should be included, (2) only bilateral infiltrates on chest X-ray (not unilateral infiltrates) should be considered as an infiltrate in bilateral lung transplants, (3) information from the chest X-ray is useful within 6 hours of final lung reperfusion (T0) but is not necessary to classify grade 3 at 12 to 72 hours, (4) apply PGD grade to single and bilateral lung transplant separately, (5) all extubated patients should be considered as grade 0 to 1, (6) note if PGD grade is being defined by specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, including extubation, with clear chest X-ray, on nitric oxide or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Although, further evaluations of the PGD definition and grading system are needed, the suggested refinements in this review may further enhance the reliability and validity of the PGD grading system as an important new lung transplant study instrument.

Outcome of critically ill lung transplant candidates on invasive respiratory support

Intensive Care Medicine, 2012

Lung transplantation (LTx) of patients on mechanical ventilation (MV) or extracorporeal support (ECS) is controversial because of impaired survival. Prognostic factors to predict survival should be identified. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in a single centre of all ventilated LTx-candidates awarded an Eurotransplant (ET) high-urgency (HU) status between November 2004 and July 2009. Clinical data were collected on the first day of HU-status from intubated patients with an approved HU status. Single parameters as well as the lung allocation score (LAS), the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA) and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS 2) were calculated. The association of these variables with survival was evaluated. Results: A total of 100 intubated patients (median age 38 years, 56 % female) fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of whom 60 also required ECS. The main indications were cystic fibrosis (25 %) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (24 %). Median time with HU status was 12 days [interquartile range (IQR) 6-21 days]. Sixty patients were transplanted, five were weaned from mechanical ventilation and 38 died while on the wait list. One-year-survival rates were 57, 36 and 5 % for transplanted patients, all candidates and non-transplanted candidates, respectively (p \ 0.001). A SAPS score [24 (median 30, IQR 27-35), a procalcitonin level of [0.5 lg/l (median 0.4, IQR 0.1-1.4 lg/l) and any escalation of bridging strategy were independently associated with mortality (p = 0.021, = 0.003, and \ 0.001, respectively). The LAS (median 88, IQR 8-90) did not predict survival (p = 0.92). Conclusions: High-urgency LTx improves survival in critically ill intubated candidates. Higher SAPS scores, escalating therapy and an abnormal procalcitonin level were associated with a poor outcome.

Early intervention after severe oxygenation index elevation improves survival following lung transplantation

The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 2001

Background: Reperfusion injury and technical problems following lung transplantation may result in life-threatening pulmonary dysfunction that requires intervention with either extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or reoperation. Early intervention in these patients could prevent complications associated with delayed or emergent intervention and may improve survival. The oxygenation index [(mean airway pressure ϫ percent of inspired oxygen)/partial pressure of arterial oxygen] provides a rapid assessment of pulmonary function in the critical phase of reperfusion. Our hypothesis was that the oxygenation index could be used as an early predictor for severe respiratory failure requiring acute intervention. Methods: Analysis of 136 consecutive lung transplant operations revealed 18 patients (reperfusion injury in 16 and technical complications in 2) with an oxygen index of Ն 30. Of those patients with reperfusion injury, 9 had fibrotic lung disease, 4 had obstructive lung disease, and 3 had primary pulmonary hypertension. Results: Patients undergoing transplantation for fibrotic lung diseases were more likely to develop severe reperfusion injury (oxygenation index Ն 30) compared to patients with obstructive lung diseases (9 of 42 or 21% vs 4 or 80 or 5%, p ϭ 0.005). The 5 patients with early intervention (Յ 2 hours) after an oxygenation index elevation above 30 had significantly improved survival compared to the 13 with no or late intervention (80% vs 15% survival, p ϭ 0.02). Conclusion: Oxygenation index elevation Ն 30 following lung transplantation is an early predictor of severe respiratory failure requiring acute intervention. Early intervention in these patients improves survival.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Primary Graft Dysfunction After Lung Transplantation: Analysis of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Registry

The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 2007

Some patients with severe primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation (LTx) require gas exchange support using an extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) as a life-saving therapy. A few single-center experiences have been reported with relatively few cases of ECMO after LTx. We reviewed outcomes of ECMO in lung transplant recipients included in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) registry, which was established with the intention to improve quality and outcome of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in patients treated with ECMO applied for all indications. The ELSO registry currently includes 31,340 ECMO cases, of which 151 were post-LTx patients with primary graft dysfunction (PGD). The mean age was 35 +/- 18 years. Indications for LTx were acute respiratory distress syndrome, (15%), cystic fibrosis (15%), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (8%), primary pulmonary hypertension, (10%), emphysema (15%), acute lung failure (11%), other (23%), and unknown (3%). ECMO run time was 140 +/- 212 hours. Venovenous ECMO was used in 25, venoarterial in 89, and other modes in 15 patients (unknown in 22). ECMO was discontinued in 93 patients owing to lung recovery. It was also discontinued in 29 patients with multiorgan failure, in 22 patients that died with no further specification, and in 7 patients for other reasons. In total, 63 (42%) patients survived the hospital stay. Major complications during ECMO included hemorrhage (52%), hemodialysis (42%), neurologic (12%), and cardiac (28%) complications, inotropic support (77%), and sepsis (15%). Although the ELSO registry was not primarily established to study ECMO in LTx, it provides valuable insights and evidence that there is indeed an appreciable salvage rate with the use of ECMO for PGD after LTx. Clearly, this is a very high-risk patient population, and no single center can accumulate a large experience of ECMO for this specific indication. These data, however, underscore the importance of developing a specific registry for patients put on ECLS devices so that we can better study the outcomes, determine optimum treatment strategies, and optimize patient and device selection, and thus improve the outcomes of patients requiring this unique therapy.

Does Perfadex Affect Outcomes In Clinical Lung Transplantation?

The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 2005

The use of a low-potassium-based preservation solution improves gas exchange in experimental models of lung transplantation. However, its efficacy in reducing the incidence of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and improving patient outcomes in the clinical setting is controversial.

Early Institution of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Primary Graft Dysfunction After Lung Transplantation Improves Outcome

The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 2007

Background: Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation (LTx) carries a significant mortality and clinical management is controversial. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used infrequently for recovery from acute lung injury (ALI) in this setting. We reviewed our experience with ECMO after primary LTx. Methods: The present study is a retrospective analysis of all LTx patients between 1991 and 2004. Twenty-two patients sustained severe PGD with subsequent placement on ECMO. We analyzed indications and 30-day, 1-year and 3-year mortality. Complications and incidence of multiple-organ failure (MOF) were determined. Critical appraisal of the evidence available to date was performed. Results: A total of 297 LTxs were performed during the study period, with 97.5%, 88.6% and 73.8% survival at 30 days, 1 year and 3 years, respectively. Twenty-two patients (7.9%) had severe allograft dysfunction leading to ECMO support. Twelve patients received single-lung (SLTx), 8 double-lung (BLTx), 1 single-lung/kidney (SLKTx) and 1 heart/lung (HLTx) transplantation. Thirty-day, 1-year and 3-year survival of LTx recipients with ECMO support post-operatively were 74.6%, 54% and 36%, respectively. MOF was the predominant cause of death (58.3%) in patients on ECMO support for PGD. Conclusions: Our data suggest that, in addition to prolonged ventilation and pharmacologic support, ECMO should be considered as a bridge to recovery from PGD in lung transplantation. Early institution of ECMO may lead to diminished mortality in the setting of ALI despite the high incidence of MOF. Late institution of ECMO was associated with 100% mortality in this investigation.

Clinical Risk Factors for Primary Graft Dysfunction after Lung Transplantation

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2013

Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a severe acute lung injury syndrome following lung transplantation. Previous studies of clinical risk factors, including a multicenter prospective cohort trial, have identified a number of recipient, donor, and operative variables related to Grade 3 PGD. The aim of this study was to validate these risk factors in a lung transplantation center with a low volume of procedures. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 45 consecutive lung transplantations performed between January 2011 and September 2013. PGD was defined according to the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation grading scale. Risk factors were evaluated independently and the significant confounders entered into multivariable logistic regression models. The overall incidence of Grade 3 PGD was 35.5% at T24, 17.7% at T48, and 15.5% at T72. The following risk factors were associated with Grade 3 PGD at the indicated time points: recipient female gender at T24 (P ¼ .034), mixed diagnoses at T72 (P ¼ .047), ECMO bridge-to-lung transplantation at T24 (P ¼ .0004) and at T48 (P ¼ .038), donor causes of death different from stroke and trauma at T24 (P ¼ .019) and T72 (P ¼ .014), blood transfusions during surgery at T24 (P ¼ .001), intraoperative venoarterial ECMO T24 (P < .0001). Multivariate analysis at T24 identified recipient female gender and intraoperative venoarterial ECMO as risk factors (P ¼ .010 and P ¼ .018, respectively). This study demonstrated that risk factors for severe PGD in a low-volume center were similar to international reports in prevalence and type. ECMO bridge-to-lung transplantation emerged as a risk factor previously underestimated.