Thrombolysis and Surgical Decompression for Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment for venous thoracic outlet syndrome (vTOS) includes thrombolysis followed by decompressive rib resection. Given the rarity of the disease, the goal of this study was to describe current practices in treatment of vTOS. METHODS: All patients with diagnoses of subclavian vTOS who underwent rib resection in the 2018-2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database were included in this study. Patients were grouped based on number of days between thrombolysis and by number of hospitalizations: thrombolysis followed by surgery in the same hospitalization was considered "simultaneous" and in separate hospitalizations was "staged." RESULTS: Five hundred ninety patients met the inclusion criteria. The average age was 34.1 ± 13.3 y, and 42.9% (253 of 590) were female. Among the patients receiving thrombolysis and decompressive rib resection, 46.8% (164 of 350) patients had <14 d between interventions, 19.1% (67 of 350) patients had 14-30 d between interventions, and 34.0% (119 of 350) had >30 d between interventions. There were no significant differences in postoperative bleeding between patients with <14 d, 14-30 d, and >30 d between thrombolysis and surgery. In terms of number of hospital visits, 19.0% (112 of 590) had "simultaneous" thrombolysis and surgery and 40.5% (239 of 590) had thrombolysis and surgery in a "staged" approach. Forty point five percent (239 of 590) of patients received only surgical decompression without thrombolysis. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombolysis followed by first rib resection for vTOS can be performed during the same hospital admission without an associated risk of bleeding complications.

Heart transplantation for pediatric foreign nationals in the United States.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to clarify survival outcomes, waitlist mortality, and waitlist days of heart transplantation of pediatric foreign nationals compared to pediatric United States (US) citizens. METHODS: We retrieved data from March 2012 to June 2021 in the United Network Organ Sharing (UNOS) registry. RESULTS: Of 5857 pediatric patients newly waitlisted, 133 (2.27%) patients were non-US citizen/non-US residents (non-citizen non-resident [NCNR]). Patients with congenital heart disease were higher in the US citizen group than in the NCNR group (51.9% vs. 22.6%, p < .001); 76.7% of patients in the NCNR group (102/133) had cardiomyopathy. Of the 133 NCNRs, 111 patients (83.5%) underwent heart transplantation, which was significantly higher than that in the US citizen group (68.6%, p < .001). The median waitlist time was 71 days (IQR, 22-172 days) in the NCNR group and 74 days (29-184 days) in the US citizen group (p = .48). Survival after heart transplant was significantly better in the NCNR group than in the US citizen group (n = 3982; logrank test p = .015). CONCLUSIONS: Heart transplantation for pediatric foreign nationals was mostly indicated for cardiomyopathy, and their transplant rate was significantly higher than that in the US citizen group, with better survival outcomes. The better survival outcomes in the NCNR group compared to the US citizen group can likely be attributed to the differing diagnoses for which transplantation was performed.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Wound Classification is Prognostic of 30-Day Readmission Following Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to investigate factors associated with 30-day readmission in a multivariate model, including the CDC wound classes "clean," "clean/contaminated," "contaminated," and "dirty/infected." METHODS: The 2017-2020 American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was queried for all patients undergoing total hip replacement, coronary artery bypass grafting, Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, pancreaticoduodenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, pneumonectomy, and colectomies. ACS-defined wound classes were concordant with CDC definitions. Multivariate linear mixed regression was used to determine risk factors for readmission while adjusting for type of surgery as a random intercept. RESULTS: 477,964 cases were identified, with 38,734 (8.1%) patients having experienced readmission within 30 days of surgery. There were 181,243 (37.9%) cases classified as wound class "clean", 215,729 (45.1%) cases classified as "clean/contaminated", 40,684 cases (8.5%) classified as "contaminated", and 40,308 (8.4%) cases classified as "dirty/infected". In the multivariate generalized mixed linear model adjusting for type of surgery, sex, body mass index, race, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, presence of comorbidity, length of stay, urgency of surgery, and discharge destination, "clean/contaminated" (p < .001), "contaminated" (p < .001), and "dirty/infected" (p < .001) wound classes (when compared to "clean") were significantly associated with 30-day readmission. Organ/space surgical site infection and sepsis were among the most common reasons for readmission in all wound classes. CONCLUSIONS: Wound classification was strongly prognostic for readmission in multivariable models, suggesting that it may serve as a marker of readmissions. Surgical procedures that are "non-clean" are at significantly greater risk for 30-day readmission. Readmissions may be due to infectious complications; optimizing antibiotic use or source control to prevent readmission are areas of future study.

Human Lung-Resident Macrophages Colocalize with and Provide Costimulation to PD1hi Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells.

Rationale: Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) play a critical role in the defense against inhaled pathogens. The isolation and study of human lung tissue-resident memory T cells and lung-resident macrophages (MLR) are limited by experimental constraints. Objectives: To characterize the spatial and functional relationship between MLR and human lung tissue-resident memory T cells using ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP). Methods: TRM and MLR were isolated using EVLP and intraperfusate-labeled CD45 antibody. Cells isolated after 6 hours of EVLP were analyzed using spectral flow cytometry. Spatial relationships between CD3+ and CD68+ cells were explored with multiplexed immunohistochemistry. Functional relationships were determined by using coculture and T-cell-receptor complex signal transduction. Measurements and Main Results: Lungs from 8 research-consenting organ donors underwent EVLP for 6 hours. We show that human lung TRM and MLR colocalize within the human lung, preferentially around the airways. Furthermore, we found that human lung CD8+ TRM are composed of two functionally distinct populations on the basis of PD1 (programed cell death receptor 1) and ZNF683 (HOBIT) protein expression. We show that MLR provide costimulatory signaling to PD1hi CD4+ and CD8+ lung TRM,, augmenting the effector cytokine production and degranulation of TRM. Conclusions: EVLP provides an innovative technique to study resident immune populations in humans. Human MLR colocalize with and provide costimulation signaling to TRM, augmenting their effector function.

Dabigatran reversal with idarucizumab prior to lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: When the transplant candidates are receiving oral anticoagulation therapy before transplantation, it is crucial to have an urgent reversal strategy to prevent hemorrhagic complications perioperatively. The aim of this study was to present the experience with idarucizumab to reverse the anticoagulant activity of dabigatran prior to lung transplantation. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study was performed to analyze the clinical outcomes of idarucizumab use before lung transplantation. RESULTS: Between July 2016 and June 2019, six patients were on dabigatran at the time of transplantation. Out of the six patients, four patients received idarucizumab. These four recipients received a median of 3 units (range 0-4 units) of packed red blood cells (pRBCs) and 450 ml (range 250-1500 ml) of intraoperative salvage of shed blood (cell saver blood) during the lung transplant. The two patients who were not administered idarucizumab received 5 units and 13 units of pRBCs and 900 ml and 3600 ml of cell saver blood, respectively. There was no grade 3 primary graft dysfunction (PGD) at 72 hours after transplantation or in-hospital mortality in idarucizumab group. In the group without idarucizumab, there was one case of grade 3 PGD without any in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Dabigatran reversal with idarucizumab provides reasonable hemostasis during lung transplantation.

A review of liver dysfunction in the lung transplant patient.

Liver dysfunction is an increasingly common finding in patients evaluated for lung transplantation. New or worsening dysfunction in the perioperative period, defined by presence of clinical ascites/encephalopathy, high model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and/or independent diagnostic criteria, is associated with high short- and long-term mortality. Therefore, a thorough liver function assessment is necessary prior to listing for lung transplant. Unfortunately, identification and intraoperative monitoring remain the only options for prevention of disease progression with isolated lung transplantation. Combined lung and liver transplantation may provide an option for definitive long-term management in selecting patients with known liver disease at high risk for postoperative progression. However, experience with the combined operation is extremely limited and indications for combined lung and liver transplant remain unclear. Herein, we present a comprehensive literature review of patients with liver dysfunction undergoing lung transplantation with and without concurrent liver transplant in an effort to illuminate the risks, benefits, and clinical judgement surrounding decision to pursue combined lung-liver transplantation (CLLT). We also argue description of liver function is currently a weakness of the current lung allocation scoring system. Additional algorithms incorporating liver function may aid in risk stratification and decision to pursue combined transplantation.

Lung transplantation for the treatment of irreversible acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in critical care for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), some survivors in the acute phase are unable to wean from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or mechanical ventilation. To date, little is known regarding whether lung transplantation confers a survival benefit for irreversible ARDS. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted using the United Network for Organ Sharing database (May 2005-December 2018). Patients with restrictive lung disease were divided into two groups: patients with and without ARDS. Propensity score matching identified recipients without ARDS for the control group. RESULTS: A total of 63 patients with ARDS were waitlisted for lung transplantation, while 39 received a lung transplant after a median waitlist duration of 8 days. Seventy-eight patients were matched as controls. In the ARDS group, the median age was 30 years, and the median lung allocation score was 88.4. Among the 39 recipients, 30 (76.9%) received ECMO support prior to transplantation. Lung transplantation for ARDS and restrictive lung disease showed similar 90-day (87.2% vs. 88.5%, p = .80), 1-year (82.1% vs. 85.9%, p = .52), and 3-year (69.2% vs. 65.4%, p = .94) survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: Lung transplantation provides acceptable outcomes in selected patients with irreversible ARDS.

Oxy-RVAD support for lung transplant in the absence of inferior vena cava.

Cardiopulmonary bypass and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are commonly used adjuncts to lung transplantation. These techniques are not without associated morbidity and mortality, and the surgeon must be aware of the possibility of aberrant anatomy that could lead to vascular injury during cannulation. In this report, we describe a patient with congenital absence of the inferior vena cava undergoing lung transplantation who required perioperative cardiopulmonary support. A percutaneous dual lumen cannula, Protek Duo, was connected in an Oxy-RVAD configuration to provide right ventricular and oxygenation support both intraoperatively and postoperatively to this patient.

Transition of femoral-jugular to dual-stage left subclavian without discontinuation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a technology that has allowed further cardiopulmonary support in the setting of respiratory failure refractory to mechanical ventilation. While it has evolved since its first description, one area of improvement continues to be its implementation. With advancements in cannulation techniques, in recent years, there has been a plethora of new cannulas that has been introduced in the market. For urgent venous-venous cannulation, the right internal jugular vein along with either femoral veins remain the most utilized strategy due to minimal need for imaging support. This allows for safe bedside cannulation. However, as the number of days of ECMO support continue to increase, transitioning to a cannulation strategy that is easier to ambulate with and more comfortable is preferred. Therefore, we describe a method for transitioning from right jugular-femoral cannulation to left subclavian placement of the Crescent Dual-Lumen catheter without interrupting ECMO support.

Association between underweight status and chylothorax after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: A propensity score-matched analysis.

Objective: To use a nationwide database of hospitalizations to investigate underweight status as a risk factor for postesophagectomy complications. Methods: We identified all patients who underwent esophagectomy with a diagnosis of esophageal cancer and known body mass index in the 2018-2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database. All hospital visits for esophagectomy and within 30 days of initial discharge were analyzed for postoperative complications, including chylothorax. Patients who were underweight were propensity score matched with patients who were not. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify complications that were significantly associated with underweight status. Results: There were 1877 patients with esophageal cancer meeting inclusion criteria. Following propensity score matching, 433 patients who were underweight were matched to 433 patients who were not. In the multivariable model of the matched sample, which adjusted for age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, history of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and preoperative surgical feeding access, patients who were underweight were estimated to have 2.06 times the odds for chylothorax (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-4.25, P = .035). Underweight status was also significantly associated with acute bleed (odds ratio [OR], 1.52; 95% CI, 1.12-2.05, P = .007), pneumothorax (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.19-4.85; P = .017), pneumonia (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.53-3.50, P < .001), and in-hospital mortality (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.31-4.69, P = .006). Conclusions: Underweight status was found to be a risk factor for chylothorax after esophagectomy, which may have implications for perioperative care of esophageal cancer patients. Future studies should assess whether using feeding tubes or total parenteral nutrition preoperatively or thoracic duct ligation intraoperatively decreases risk of chylothorax among patients who were underweight.

Initial management and outcomes of nonmalignant esophageal perforations: A Nationwide Inpatient Sample analysis.

BACKGROUND: Management of esophageal perforation includes open surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and endoscopic stent placement. This study analyzed initial treatment and the associated short-term outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective study using the National Inpatient Sample between October 2015 and December 2019 identified adults >18 years with esophageal perforation undergoing an initial nonelective esophageal procedure categorized into either open surgery, minimally invasive surgery, or endoscopic stent placement. Patients with esophageal cancer were excluded. Baseline characteristics and the van Walraven-weighted Elixhauser Comorbidity Index were identified. Outcomes included in-hospital mortality and postintervention complications. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression was used to compare in-hospital survival. RESULTS: In total, 3,345 patients met inclusion criteria: the median age was 62 years (interquartile range 50-72 years), and 1,310 (39%) were female. Open procedure was pursued in 2,650 (79%), minimally invasive surgery in 310 (9%), and endoscopic stent placement in 385 (12%) with no differences in van Walraven-weighted Elixhauser Comorbidity Index or mortality. Patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery had a greater proportion of gastrointestinal complications (P = .006); otherwise, there were no differences in postintervention complications. In total, 380 (11%) patients died and were significantly older, with greater van Walraven-weighted Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, and had more postintervention complications. Univariable Cox regression identified age (hazard ratio 1.95, P < .001), van Walraven-weighted Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (hazard ratio 1.06, P < .001), stent placement (hazard ratio 1.93, P = .045), and transfer from a health facility (HR 2.40, P = .049) as associated with decreased in-hospital survival. Multivariable Cox regression revealed age (hazard ratio 1.041, P < .001) and van Walraven-weighted Elixhauser comorbidity index (hazard ratio 1.055, P < .001) were associated with decreased in-hospital survival. CONCLUSION: Patients with esophageal perforation had an 11% in-hospital mortality rate and significant associated complications regardless of intervention. Increasing age and comorbidities are associated with poorer in-hospital survival.

Longer hospitalizations, more complications, and greater readmissions for patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders undergoing pulmonary lobectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of comorbid psychiatric disorders (PSYD) on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2016 to 2018 was performed. Patients with lung cancer with and without psychiatric comorbidities who underwent pulmonary lobectomy were collated and analyzed (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental disorders [F01-99]). The association of PSYD with complications, length of stay, and readmissions was assessed using a multivariable regression analysis. Additional subgroup analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 41,691 patients met inclusion criteria. Of these, 27.84% (11,605) of the patients had at least 1 PSYD. PSYD was associated with a significantly increased risk of postoperative complications (relative risk, 1.041; 95% CI, 1.015-1.068; P = .0018), pulmonary complications (relative risk, 1.125; 95% CI, 1.08-1.171; P < .0001), longer length of stay (PSYD mean, 6.79 days and non-PSYD mean, 5.68 days; P < .0001), higher 30-day readmission rate (9.2% vs 7.9%; P < .0001), and 90-day readmission rate (15.4% vs 12.9%; P < .007). Among patients with PSYD, those with cognitive disorders and psychotic disorders (eg, schizophrenia) appear to have the highest rates and risks of postoperative morbidity and in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with lung cancer with comorbid psychiatric disorders undergoing lobectomy experience worse postoperative outcomes with longer hospitalization, increased rates of overall and pulmonary complications, and greater readmissions suggesting potential opportunities for improved psychiatric care during the perioperative period.

Outcomes of single-lung retransplantation after double-lung transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes of single-lung retransplantation (SLRTx) and double-lung retransplantation (DLRTx) after an initial double-lung transplantation. METHODS: The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing database between May 2005 and December 2022 was retrospectively analyzed. Multiorgan transplantations, repeated retransplantations, and lung retransplantations when the status of the initial transplantation was unknown were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 891 patients were included in the analysis, included 698 (78.3%) with DLRTx and 193 (21.7%) with SLRTx. The mean lung allocation score was higher in the DLRTx group (59.6 ± 20.7 vs 55.1 ± 19.3; P = .007). The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) bridge to lung transplantation was similar in the 2 groups (P = .125), as was waitlist time (P = .610). The need for mechanical ventilation (54.6% vs 35.8%; P = .005) and ECMO (17.9% vs 9.0%; P = .069) at 72 hours post-transplantation was greater in the DLRTx group. However, median post-transplantation hospital stay (21.5 [interquartile range (IQR), 12-35] days versus 20 [IQR, 12-35] days; P = .119) and in-hospital mortality (10.9% [n = 76/698] vs 12.4% [n = 24/193]; P = .547) were comparable in the 2 groups. Long-term survival was significantly better in the DLRTx group (P < .001, log-rank test). In the propensity score-weighted multivariable model, the DLRTx group had 28% lower risk of mortality at any point during follow-up compared to the SLRTx group (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.57-0.91; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: The less invasiveness of single-lung transplantation in the retransplantation setting has minimal short-term benefit and is associated with significantly worse long-term survival. Double-lung retransplantation should remain the standard for lung retransplantation after initial double-lung transplantation.

[Remarkable improvement in dyspnea following bronchofiberscopic ethanol injection therapy -a case report].

A 69-year-old man with squamous cell carcinoma( SCC) of the left lower lobe of the lung underwent lobectomy. One year later, radiography performed during check-up revealed pneumonia. After 1 week, he was admitted to the hospital because of dyspnea. Three tumors in his trachea and bronchus had narrowed the respiratory tract, and these were diagnosed as recurrence of SCC. The patient was treated with radiation and bronchofiberscopic ethanol injection (BEI) therapy, following which the tumors reduced remarkably in size; he recovered from respiratory insufficiency and was able to go home. He stayed home for 2 months; however, tumor enlargement was detected subsequently and the patient was at risk of suffocation. This time, the patient received combination therapy that included radiation, TS-1, and BEI. Subsequently, his respiratory airway reopened. BEI offers a quick and safe treatment option and has a rapid effect; therefore, we consider it useful for the treatment of malignant tracheobronchial stenosis.

Delays to surgery and worse outcomes: The compounding effects of social determinants of health in non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective: To quantify the compounding effects of social determinants of health on time to surgery (T2S) and clinical outcomes. Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried for treatment-naïve patients with cT1-4N0-1M0 non-small cell lung cancer undergoing (bi)lobectomy or pneumonectomy between 2006 and 2016 with 1 to 180 days T2S, the number of days between diagnosis and surgery; surgical delays were defined as statistically significant increased T2S compared with a reference cohort. Social determinants of health factors prognostic for surgical delays were identified using multivariable regression. The 30-/90-day mortality and 5-year survival estimates were calculated using logistic and Cox regressions, respectively. Results: In total, 110,005 patients met inclusionary criteria. Multivariable analysis identified race, insurance, and facility type as factors with significant 3-way interaction: T2S of one depended on the others. Income and education also contributed to delays. Privately insured (private) non-Hispanic White patients at academic medical centers (AMCs) were the reference with T2S of 44.1 days. At AMCs, private Black patients had significant delays to surgery (54.7 days; P < .0001), as did Medicaid and uninsured Black patients (58.5 days; P < .0001, 59.4 days; P < .0001, respectively). The 15-day surgical delays were associated with statistically significant 5% increased 30-day mortality odds (confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.08), 6% increased 90-day mortality odds (CI, 1.04-1.08), and 4% decrease in hazard of death at 5 years (CI, 1.04-1.05). Conclusions: In treatment-naïve patients with cT1-4N0-1M0 non-small cell lung cancer, Black race, Medicaid, uninsured status, and AMCs generate compounding surgical delays with increased 30-/90-day mortality and decreased 5-year survival. Thoracic surgeons can leverage these facility and demographic-specific insights to standardize time to surgery and begin mitigating underlying disparities.

Estimating revenue, costs, and operating margin of any hospital-based thoracic surgery practice using a novel financial model.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to develop a generalizable financial model that estimates payor-specific reimbursements associated with anatomic lung resections for any hospital-based thoracic surgery practice. METHODS: Medical records of patients who presented to the thoracic surgery clinic and eventually underwent an anatomic lung resection from January 2019 to December 2020 were reviewed. The volume of preoperative and postoperative studies, clinic visits, and outpatient referrals was measured. Neither subsequent studies nor procedures from outpatient referrals were captured. Diagnosis-related group, cost-to-charge ratios, Current Procedural Terminology Medicare payment data, and Private:Medicare and Medicaid:Medicare payment ratios were used to estimate payor-specific reimbursements and operating margin. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients met inclusion criteria and underwent 113 operations: 102 (90%) lobectomies, 7 (6%) segmentectomies, and 4 (4%) pneumonectomies. These patients underwent 554 total studies, received 60 referrals to other specialties, and had 626 total clinic visits. The total charges and Medicare reimbursement were $12.5 M and $2.7 M, respectively. After adjusting for a 41% Medicare, 2% Medicaid, and 57% Private payor mix, the total reimbursement was $4.7 M. With a 0.252 cost-to-charge ratio, total costs and operating income were $3.2 M and $1.5 M, respectively (ie, 33% operating margin). Average reimbursement per surgery by payor was $51k for Private, $29k for Medicare, and $23k for Medicaid. CONCLUSIONS: For any hospital-based thoracic surgery practice, this novel financial model can calculate both overall and payor-specific reimbursements, costs, and operating margin across the full perioperative spectrum. By manipulating hospital name, hospital state, volume, and payor mix, any program can gain insights into their financial contributions and use the outputs to guide investment decisions.

Early outcomes of lung transplantation with lung allografts from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-positive donors.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be detected for extended periods of time with nucleic acid amplification test even after transmissibility becomes negligible. Lung allografts from COVID-19-positive donors have been used for transplantation in highly selected cases. This study aimed to clarify the early outcomes of lung transplantation with COVID-19-positive donors. METHODS: The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing database between April 2020 and June 2022 was retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: In the study period, 1297 COVID-19-positive donors were identified and the lungs were transplanted from 47 donors (3.6%). Of 47 donors, 44 donors were positive for COVID-19 NAT with nasopharyngeal swabs and the other 3 were positive with bronchoalveolar lavage. The COVID-19-positive lung donors were younger than the COVID-19-negative donors (28.4 ± 11.6 years vs 35.4 ± 13.6 years, P < .001). Recipients of the COVID-19-positive lungs (n = 47) were more likely have a greater lung allocation score (57.1 ± 22.9 vs 50.5 ± 19.7, P = .057) than recipients of COVID-19-negative lungs (n = 5501). The posttransplant length of hospital stay (39.8 ± 43.6 days vs 30.6 ± 34.5 days, P = .181), need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support at 72 hours after transplantation (2.6% [1/38] vs 10.4% [541/5184], P = .18), and 1-year overall survival rate (85.6% vs 87.1%, P = .63) were comparable between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Carefully selected lung allografts from COVID-19-positive donors had comparable early posttransplant outcomes to lung allografts from COVID-19-negative donors.

Adjuvant chemotherapy, not radiotherapy, prolongs survival for node-negative non-small cell lung cancer with positive surgical margins.

Objective: The study objective was to determine differences in survival depending on adjuvant therapy type, timing, and sequence in node-negative disease with positive margins after non-small cell lung cancer resection. Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with positive margins after surgical resection of treatment-naïve cT1-4N0M0 pN0 non-small cell lung cancer who underwent adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy from 2010 to 2016. Adjuvant treatment groups were defined as surgery alone, chemotherapy alone, radiotherapy alone, concurrent chemoradiotherapy, sequential chemotherapy then radiotherapy, and sequential radiotherapy then chemotherapy. The impact of adjuvant radiotherapy initiation timing on survival was evaluated using multivariable Cox regression. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated to compare 5-year survival. Results: A total of 1713 patients met inclusion criteria. Five-year survival estimates differed significantly between cohorts: surgery alone, 40.7%; chemotherapy alone, 47.0%; radiotherapy alone, 35.1%; concurrent chemoradiotherapy, 45.7%; sequential chemotherapy then radiotherapy, 36.6%; and sequential radiotherapy then chemotherapy, 32.2% (P = .033). Compared with surgery alone, adjuvant radiotherapy alone had a lower estimated survival at 5 years, although overall survival did not differ significantly (P = .8). Chemotherapy alone improved 5-year survival compared with surgery alone (P = .0016) and provided a statistically significant survival advantage over adjuvant radiotherapy (P = .002). Compared with radiotherapy-inclusive multimodal therapies, chemotherapy alone yielded similar 5-year survival (P = .066). Multivariable Cox regression showed an inverse linear association between time to adjuvant radiotherapy initiation and survival, but with an insignificant trend (10-day hazard ratio, 1.004; P = .90). Conclusions: In treatment-naïve cT1-4N0M0 pN0 non-small cell lung cancer with positive surgical margins, only adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with a survival improvement compared with surgery alone, with no radiotherapy-inclusive treatment providing additional survival benefit. Delayed timing of radiotherapy initiation was not associated with a survival reduction.

Oxygenated right ventricular assist device with a percutaneous dual-lumen cannula as a bridge to lung transplantation.

Background: Oxygenated right ventricular assist device (oxyRVAD) placement has become more streamlined with the introduction of the dual-lumen pulmonary artery cannula. Peripherally cannulated oxyRVAD may provide oxygenation support with right heart support as an alternative to venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to lung transplantation. Methods: A single-institution, retrospective analysis was performed on patients placed on oxyRVAD with a dual-lumen pulmonary artery cannula with the intention of bridging to lung transplantation in 2019. Results: Four patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were placed on oxyRVAD as a bridge to transplantation. Two patients were extubated and ambulated while waiting for a lung offer, and two patients required conversion to venoarteriovenous ECMO (VAV ECMO) from oxyRVAD. The median waiting time for extracorporeal life support (ECLS) was 42 h. All patients underwent double lung transplantation. Two patients stayed on oxyRVAD, and one patient was placed on venovenous ECMO (VV ECMO) after transplantation. Primary graft dysfunction score at 72 h after transplantation was grade 1 in three patients and grade 3 in one patient. Conclusions: Peripherally cannulated oxyRVAD with percutaneous dual-lumen venous cannula could be an ambulatory bridge for lung transplantation. It is unknown whether oxyRVAD is feasible as a long-term bridge to lung transplantation.

Adhering to guideline concordant care improves survival among the different subtypes of T3 N2 non-small cell lung cancer.

Objectives: T3 disease comprises heterogeneous morphologic characteristics, a variation only further complicated when in the context of N2-confirmed involvement. This study aims to examine whether or not specific features of T3 N2 non-small cell lung cancer are associated with improved 5-year overall survival when using a multimodal therapeutic approach consistent with guideline recommendations compared with definitive surgery alone. Methods: Patients with pathologic T3 N2 non-small cell lung cancer were identified in the National Cancer Database. Therapy modality, as defined by surgery alone versus surgery with adjuvant therapy, and T3 disease descriptors were compared for differences in 5-year overall survival using Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank tests. Multivariable Cox regression was used to determine prognostic factors for survival. Results: A total of 1924 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 80.0% (n = 1539) received adjuvant chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy following surgery and 20.0% (n = 385) underwent definitive surgery alone. Patients in the 2 cohorts differed significantly in age, race, insurance status, and Charlson-Deyo score (P < .05). The overall survival for patients who underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy compared with those who underwent surgery alone was 31.7% and 11.1%, respectively (P < .0001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated a lower risk of death with multimodal therapeutic intervention compared with surgery alone for patients with disease marked by chest wall invasion, additional ipsilateral pulmonary nodules, tumor size, and the presence of multiple T3 features. Conclusions: The utilization of a multimodal approach to treating pathologic T3 N2 NSCLC, compared with surgery alone, is associated with superior overall survival and lower risk of death for many subtypes of T3 disease.