Donor Lung Preservation at 10°C: Clinical and Logistical Impact.

INTRODUCTION: Cold static donor lung preservation at 10°C appears to be a promising method to safely extend the cold ischemic time (CIT) and improve lung transplant (LTx) logistics. METHODS: LTx from November 2021 to February 2023 were included in this single institution, prospective, non-randomized study comparing prolonged preservation at 10°C versus standard preservation on ice. The inclusion criteria for 10°C preservation were suitable grafts for LTx without any donor retrieval concerns. PRIMARY ENDPOINT: primary graft dysfunction (PGD) grade-3 at 72-h. Secondary endpoints: clinical outcomes, cytokine profile and logistical impact. RESULTS: Thirty-three out of fifty-seven cases were preserved at 10°C. Donor and recipient characteristics were similar across the groups. Total preservation times (h:min) were longer (p<0.001) in the 10°C group [1st lung: median 12:09 (IQR 9:23-13:29); 2nd: 14:24 (12:00-16:20)] vs. standard group [1st lung: median 5:47 (IQR 5:18-6:40); 2nd: 7:15 (6:33-7:40)]. PGD grade-3 at 72-h was 9.4% in 10°C group vs. 12.5% in standard group (p=0.440). Length of mechanical ventilation (MV), ICU and hospital stays were similar in both groups. Thirty and ninety-day mortality rates were 0% in 10°C group (vs. 4.2% in standard group). IL-8 concentration was significantly higher 6-h post-LTx in the standard group (p=0.025) and IL-10 concentration was increased 72-h post-LTx in the 10°C group (p=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Preservation at 10°C may represent a safe and feasible strategy to intentionally prolong the CIT. In our center, extending the CIT at 10°C may allow for semi-elective LTx and improve logistics with similar outcomes compared to the current standard preservation on ice.

Outcomes after lung transplantation from selected donors older than 70 years in a single centre: time to close the debate?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of lung transplantations using grafts from donors aged over 70 years against those performed using younger donors. METHODS: This retrospective single-centre analysis includes lung transplants conducted at our institution from January 2014 to June 2022. Lung recipients were classified into 2 groups based on donor age (group A <70 years; group B ≥70 years). Variables regarding demographics, peri and postoperative outcomes and survival were included. The statistical analysis approach included univariable analysis, propensity score matching to address imbalances in donor variables (smoking status), recipient characteristics (sex, age, diagnosis and lung allocation score) and calendar period and survival analysis. RESULTS: A total of 353 lung transplants were performed in this period, 47 (13.3%) using grafts from donors aged over 70 years. Donors in group B were more frequently women (70.2% vs 51.6%, P = 0.017), with less smoking history (22% vs 43%, P = 0.002) and longer mechanical ventilation time (3 vs 2 days, P = 0.025). Recipients in group B had a higher lung allocation score (37.5 vs 35, P = 0.035). Postoperative variables were comparable between both groups, except for pulmonary function tests. Group B demonstrated lower forced expiratory volume 1 s levels (2070 vs 2580 ml, P = 0.001). The propensity score matching showed a lower chance of chronic lung allograft dysfunction by 12% for group B. One-, three- and five-year survival was equal between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of selected expanded-criteria donors aged over 70 years did not result in increased postoperative morbidity, early mortality or survival in this study.

Pathological N1/N2 in Clinical Stage I Bronchogenic Carcinoma. Analysis From a Prospective Multicentre Database.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of occult N1/N2 nodal metastases and associated risk factors in patients with non-small cell lung cancer no larger than 3cm and deemed cN0 by CT and PET-CT in a prospective, multicentre national database. METHODS: Patients with a NSCLC no larger than 3cm, deemed cN0 by PET-CT and CT scan, who had undergone at least a lobectomy, were selected from a national multicentre database of 3533 patients who had undergone anatomic lung resection between 2016 and 2018. Clinical and pathological variables of patients with pN0 and patients with pN1/N2 were compared to identify factors associated with the presence of lymph node metastases. Chi2 and the Mann-Whitney U test were used for categorical and numerical variables, respectively. All variables with p<0.2 in the univariate analysis were included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The study included 1205 patients from the cohort. The incidence of occult pN1/N2 disease was 10.70% (95%CI, 9.01-12.58). The multivariable analysis revealed that the degree of differentiation, size, location (central or peripheral) and SUV of the tumour in PET, surgeon experience and number of lymph nodes resected were associated with occult N1/N2 metastases. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of occult N1/N2 in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma with cN0 tumours no larger than 3cm is no negligible. Data about the degree of differentiation, tumour size in CT scan, maximal uptake of the tumour in PET-CT, location (central or peripheral), number of lymph nodes resected and surgeon seniority is relevant in order to detect patients at risk.

Outcomes of lung and liver transplantation after simultaneous recovery using abdominal normothermic regional perfusion in donors after the circulatory determination of death versus donors after brain death.

Normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) in controlled donation after the circulatory determination of death (cDCD) is a growing preservation technique for abdominal organs that coexists with the rapid recovery of lungs. We aimed to describe the outcomes of lung transplantation (LuTx) and liver transplantation (LiTx) when both grafts are simultaneously recovered from cDCD donors using NRP and compare them with grafts recovered from donation after brain death (DBD) donors. All LuTx and LiTx meeting these criteria during January 2015 to December 2020 in Spain were included in the study. Simultaneous recovery of lungs and livers was undertaken in 227 (17%) donors after cDCD with NRP and 1879 (21%) DBD donors (P < .001). Primary graft dysfunction grade-3 within the first 72 hours was similar in both LuTx groups (14.7% cDCD vs. 10.5% DBD; P = .139). LuTx survival at 1 and 3 years was 79.9% and 66.4% in cDCD vs. 81.9% and 69.7% in DBD (P = .403). The incidence of primary nonfunction and ischemic cholangiopathy was similar in both LiTx groups. Graft survival at 1 and 3 years was 89.7% and 80.8% in cDCD vs. 88.2% and 82.1% in DBD LiTx (P = .669). In conclusion, the simultaneous rapid recovery of lungs and preservation of abdominal organs with NRP in cDCD donors is feasible and offers similar outcomes in both LuTx and LiTx recipients to transplants using DBD grafts.

Donor lungs cold preservation at 10 °C offers a potential logistic advantage in lung transplantation.

Donor lung preservation at 10 °C appears to be an innovative and promising method that may improve transplant logistics by extending the cold ischemia time with excellent outcomes. We report the case of two lung transplants from two different donors involving the use of two different preservation methods, highlighting the benefits of using 10 °C lung storage.

Interrupted versus continuous suture for bronchial anastomosis in lung transplantation: does it matter?

OBJECTIVES: Bronchial anastomotic complications remain a major concern in lung transplantation. We aim to compare 2 different techniques, continuous suture (CS) versus interrupted suture (IS) by analysing airway complications requiring intervention. METHODS: Lung transplantations between January 2015 and December 2020 were included. Airway complications requiring intervention were classified following the 2018 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation consensus and analysed comparing 3 groups of patients according to surgical technique: group A, both anastomosis performed with CS; group B, both with interrupted; and group C, IS for 1 side and CS for the contralateral side. RESULTS: A total of 461 anastomoses were performed in 245 patients. The incidence of airway complications requiring intervention was 5.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.8-8.6] per patient (14/245) and 3.7% (95% CI: 2.0-5.4) per anastomosis (17/461). Complications that required intervention were present in 5 out of 164 (3.1%) anastomosis with interrupted technique, and in 12/240 (5%) with CS. No significant differences were found between techniques (P = 0.184). No statistical differences were found among group A, B or C in terms of incidence of anastomotic complications, demographics, transplant outcomes or overall survival (log-rank P = 0.513). In a multivariable analysis, right laterality was significantly associated to complications requiring intervention (OR 3.7 [95% CI: 1.1-12.3], P = 0.030). Endoscopic treatment was successful in 12 patients (85.7%). Retransplantation was necessary in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, although it seems that anastomotic complications requiring intervention occur more frequently with CS, there are no statistical differences compared to IS. Endoscopic treatment offers good outcomes in most of the airway complications after lung transplantation.

External validation of the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons morbidity and mortality risk models.

OBJECTIVES: There is a wide variety of predictive models of postoperative risk, although some of them are specific to thoracic surgery, none of them is widely used. The European Society for Thoracic Surgery has recently updated its models of cardiopulmonary morbidity (Eurolung 1) and 30-day mortality (Eurolung 2) after anatomic lung resection. The aim of our work is to carry out the external validation of both models in a multicentre national database. METHODS: External validation of Eurolung 1 and Eurolung 2 was evaluated through calibration (calibration plot, Brier score and Hosmer-Lemeshow test) and discrimination [area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC ROC)], on a national multicentre database of 2858 patients undergoing anatomic lung resection between 2016 and 2018. RESULTS: For Eurolung 1, calibration plot showed suboptimal overlapping (slope = 0.921) and a Hosmer-Lemeshow test and Brier score of P = 0.353 and 0.104, respectively. In terms of discrimination, AUC ROC for Eurolung 1 was 0.653 (95% confidence interval, 0.623-0.684). In contrast, Eurolung 2 showed a good calibration (slope = 1.038) and a Hosmer-Lemeshow test and Brier score of P = 0.234 and 0.020, respectively. AUC ROC for Eurolung 2 was 0.760 (95% confidence interval, 0.701-0.819). CONCLUSIONS: Thirty-day mortality score (Eurolung 2) seems to be transportable to other anatomic lung-resected patients. On the other hand, postoperative cardiopulmonary morbidity score (Eurolung 1) seems not to have sufficient generalizability for new patients.

Radicality of lymphadenectomy in lung cancer resections by thoracotomy and video-assisted thoracoscopic approach: A prospective, multicentre and propensity-score adjusted study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse differences in intraoperative nodal assessment in patients undergoing lung cancer resection by thoracotomy and video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) in the Spanish Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Group (GEVATS). METHODS: Prospective multicentre cohort study of anatomic pulmonary resections (n = 3533) performed from December 2016 to March 2018. Main surgical, clinical and oncological variables related with lymphadenectomy were compared according to surgical approach. Corresponding tests for homogeneity were performed. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to determine the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Covariate adjustment using the propensity score (PS) was performed to reduce confounding effects. RESULTS: After exclusions, 2532 patients were analysed. Systematic nodal dissection (SND) was performed in 65%, with a median of resected/sampled lymph nodes (LN) of 7 (IQR 4-12) and pathologic (p) N2 and uncertain (u) pNu rates of 9.4% and 28.9%, respectively. At multivariate analysis, the following were associated with thoracotomy (OR; 95%CI): SND (1.4; 1.08-1.96; p = 0.014), staging mediastinoscopy (2.6; 1.59-4.25; p < 0.001), tumor > 3 cm (2.1; 1.66-2.78; p < 0.001), central tumor (2.5; 1.90-3.24; p < 0.001); pN1 (1.8; 1.25-2.67; p < 0.002), pN2 (1.8; 1.18-2.76; p = 0.006), lower FEV1 (0.9; 0.98-0.99; p < 0.001), squamous cell carcinoma (1.5; 1.16-1.98; p = 0.002) and inexperienced surgeons in VATS (compared with > 100 VATS experience) (37.6; 13.55-104.6; p < 0.001). After PS adjustment, SND maintained the OR, but in the limit of signification (1.4; 1-1.98; p = 0.05). Nodal upstaging was significantly higher in the thoracotomy group. Complication rates of SND and no SND were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracotomy was associated with a more thorough lymphadenectomy in GEVATS. Therefore, intraoperative lymph node evaluation performed at VATS should be improved to have better prognostic information and more solid grounds to indicate adjuvant therapy.

Surgical Risk Following Anatomic Lung Resection in Thoracic Surgery: A Prediction Model Derived from a Spanish Multicenter Database. / Riesgo quirúrgico tras resección pulmonar anatómica en cirugía torácica. Modelo predictivo a partir de una base de datos nacional multicéntrica.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to develop a surgical risk prediction model in patients undergoing anatomic lung resections from the registry of the Spanish Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Group (GEVATS). METHODS: Data were collected from 3,533 patients undergoing anatomic lung resection for any diagnosis between December 20, 2016 and March 20, 2018. We defined a combined outcome variable: death or Clavien Dindo grade IV complication at 90 days after surgery. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed by logistic regression. Internal validation of the model was performed using resampling techniques. RESULTS: The incidence of the outcome variable was 4.29% (95% CI 3.6-4.9). The variables remaining in the final logistic model were: age, sex, previous lung cancer resection, dyspnea (mMRC), right pneumonectomy, and ppo DLCO. The performance parameters of the model adjusted by resampling were: C-statistic 0.712 (95% CI 0.648-0.750), Brier score 0.042 and bootstrap shrinkage 0.854. CONCLUSIONS: The risk prediction model obtained from the GEVATS database is a simple, valid, and reliable model that is a useful tool for establishing the risk of a patient undergoing anatomic lung resection.

Lung transplantation from uncontrolled and controlled donation after circulatory death: similar outcomes to brain death donors.

Controlled donation after circulatory death donors (cDCD) are becoming a frequent source of lungs grafts worldwide. Conversely, lung transplantations (LTx) from uncontrolled donors (uDCD) are sporadically reported. We aimed to review our institutional experience using both uDCD and cDCD and compare to LTx from brain death donors (DBD). This is a retrospective analysis of all LTx performed between January 2013 and December 2019 in our institution. Donor and recipient characteristics were collected and univariate, multivariate and survival analyses were carried out comparing the three cohorts of donors. A total of 239 (84.7%) LTx were performed from DBD, 29 (10.3%) from cDCD and 14 (5%) from uDCD. There were no statistically significant differences in primary graft dysfunction grade 3 at 72 h, 30- and 90-day mortality, need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after procedure, ICU and hospital length of stay, airway complications, CLAD incidence or survival at 1 and 3 years after transplant (DBD: 87.1% and 78.1%; cDCD: 89.7% and 89.7%; uDCD: 85.7% and 85.7% respectively; P = 0.42). Short- and mid-term outcomes are comparable between the three types of donors. These findings may encourage and reinforce all types of donation after circulatory death programmes as a valid and growing source of suitable organs for transplantation.

Effect on the donor lungs of using abdominal normothermic regional perfusion in controlled donation after circulatory death.

OBJECTIVES: Controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) donors are becoming a common source of organs for transplantation globally. However, the graft survival rate of cDCD abdominal organs is inferior to that of organs from brain-dead donors. The rapid retrieval (RR) technique is used by most donor organ procurement teams. The abdominal normothermic regional perfusion (A-NRP) technique has been implemented to minimize warm ischaemic damage to the abdominal organs. However, there is limited information on the effect of A-NRP on the quality of the donor lungs. This study aimed to compare lung transplantation outcomes using lungs procured from cDCD donors using the A-NRP and abdominal RR techniques. METHODS: A single-centre retrospective analysis of consecutive transplant recipients of cDCD lungs from June 2013 to December 2019 was performed. The recipients were divided into 2 cohorts according to the abdominal procurement technique used. The recipient and donor characteristics (age, sex, cause of brain injury, warm ischaemic time, diagnosis, lung allocation score and other factors), incidence of primary graft dysfunction and early survival were monitored. RESULTS: Twenty-eight consecutive lung transplantation recipients were identified (median age 59 years; 61% male); 14 recipients received lungs using the A-NRP and 14 using abdominal RR for abdominal organ retrieval. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics, primary graft dysfunction (P = 0.70), hospital mortality (P = 1.0) and 1-year survival rate (P = 1.0) between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: No difference was observed in lung transplantation outcomes irrespective of the abdominal organ procurement technique used (A-NRP or abdominal RR).

Spanish Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Group: Method, Auditing, and Initial Results From a National Prospective Cohort of Patients Receiving Anatomical Lung Resections.

INTRODUCTION: Our study sought to know the current implementation of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for anatomical lung resections in Spain. We present our initial results and describe the auditing systems developed by the Spanish VATS Group (GEVATS). METHODS: We conducted a prospective multicentre cohort study that included patients receiving anatomical lung resections between 12/20/2016 and 03/20/2018. The main quality controls consisted of determining the recruitment rate of each centre and the accuracy of the perioperative data collected based on six key variables. The implications of a low recruitment rate were analysed for "90-day mortality" and "Grade IIIb-V complications". RESULTS: The series was composed of 3533 cases (1917 VATS; 54.3%) across 33 departments. The centres' median recruitment rate was 99% (25-75th:76-100%), with an overall recruitment rate of 83% and a data accuracy of 98%. We were unable to demonstrate a significant association between the recruitment rate and the risk of morbidity/mortality, but a trend was found in the unadjusted analysis for those centres with recruitment rates lower than 80% (centres with 95-100% rates as reference): grade IIIb-V OR=0.61 (p=0.081), 90-day mortality OR=0.46 (p=0.051). CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the anatomical lung resections in Spain are performed via VATS. According to our results, the centre's recruitment rate and its potential implications due to selection bias, should deserve further attention by the main voluntary multicentre studies of our speciality. The high representativeness as well as the reliability of the GEVATS data constitute a fundamental point of departure for this nationwide cohort.

Lung transplantation with uncontrolled non-heart-beating donor. Review.

The discrepancy between organ availability and the increasing amount of patients on the waiting list has prompted the development of medical strategies to increase the usable organs, including the search for alternative sources of donation, organ optimization and extension of the criteria for donation. The recovery of lungs from non-heart-beating donors (NHBD) is a concept in which death is declared based on cardiopulmonary criteria rather than the currently used definition of "brain death." Obtaining NHBD lungs is currently practiced in many centers. In this review we discuss the current state of lung transplantation from uncontrolled NHBD.