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.

Impact of lung transplantation on diastolic dysfunction in recipients with pretransplant pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary hypertension can cause left ventricular diastolic dysfunction through ventricular interdependence. Moreover, diastolic dysfunction has been linked to adverse outcomes after lung transplant. The impact of lung transplant on diastolic dysfunction in recipients with pretransplant pulmonary hypertension is not defined. In this cohort, we aimed to assess the prevalence of diastolic dysfunction, the change in diastolic dysfunction after lung transplant, and the impact of diastolic dysfunction on lung transplant outcomes. METHODS: In a large, single-center database from January 2011 to September 2021, single or bilateral lung transplant recipients with pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure > 20 mm Hg) were retrospectively identified. Those without a pre- or post-transplant echocardiogram within 1 year were excluded. Diastolic dysfunction was diagnosed and graded according to the American Society of Echocardiography 2016 guideline on assessment of diastolic dysfunction (present, absent, indeterminate). McNemar's test was used to examine association between diastolic dysfunction pre- and post-transplant. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis were used to assess associations between pre-lung transplant diastolic dysfunction and post-lung transplant 1-year outcomes, including mortality, major adverse cardiac events, and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome grade 1 or higher-free survival. RESULTS: Of 476 primary lung transplant recipients, 205 with pulmonary hypertension formed the study cohort (mean age, 56.6 ± 11.9 years, men 61.5%, mean pulmonary artery pressure 30.5 ± 9.8 mm Hg, left ventricular ejection fraction < 55% 9 [4.3%]). Pretransplant, diastolic dysfunction was present in 93 patients (45.4%) (grade I = 8, II = 84, III = 1), absent in 16 patients (7.8%), and indeterminate in 89 patients (43.4%), and 7 patients (3.4%) had missing data. Post-transplant, diastolic dysfunction was present in 7 patients (3.4%) (grade I = 2, II = 5, III = 0), absent in 164 patients (80.0%), and indeterminate in 15 patients (7.3%), and 19 patients (9.3%) had missing data. For those with diastolic dysfunction grades in both time periods (n = 180), there was a significant decrease in diastolic dysfunction post-transplant (148/169 patients with resolved diastolic dysfunction; McNemar's test P < .001). Pretransplant diastolic dysfunction was not associated with major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio [HR], 1.08, 95% CI, 0.72-1.62; P = .71), bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome-free survival (HR, 0.67, 95% CI, 0.39-1.56; P = .15), or mortality (HR, 0.70, 95% CI, 0.33-1.46; P = .34) at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Diastolic dysfunction is highly prevalent in lung transplant candidates with normal left ventricular systolic function and pulmonary hypertension, and resolves in most patients after lung transplant regardless of patient characteristics. Pre-lung transplant diastolic dysfunction was not associated with adverse lung or cardiac outcomes after lung transplant. Collectively, these findings suggest that the presence of diastolic dysfunction in lung transplant recipients with pulmonary hypertension has no prognostic significance, and as such diastolic dysfunction and the associated clinical syndrome of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction should not be considered a relative contraindication to lung transplant in such patients.

Calcineurin inhibitors and Clostridium difficile infection in adult lung transplant recipients: the effect of cyclosporine versus tacrolimus.

BACKGROUND: Tacrolimus (FK506) has a superior immunosuppressive effect compared with cyclosporine (CSA) without a significant increase in generalized infectious complications. Differences in specific infections such as Clostridium difficile (CDI) have not been reported. We investigated the relationship between calcineurin inhibitors and CDI, hypothesizing that choice of calcineurin inhibitor (CSA or FK506) after lung transplantation would have no effect on the incidence of CDI. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of lung transplant recipients between June 1, 2000, and December 31, 2005, at a single institution. Positive CDI assays through December 11, 2011, were also recorded. We used Student's t- and chi-squared tests (α = 0.05) to compare CSA and FK506 groups. We calculated adjusted hazard ratios for CDI using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: We identified 217 lung transplant recipients: 106 patients in the CSA group and 111 patients in the FK506 group. A total of 31 patients (27.9%) in the FK506 group developed CDI postoperatively compared with 20 patients (18.9%) in the CSA group (P = 0.16). The adjusted hazard ratio for CDI in the FK506 group was not significantly higher (1.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.78-2.98). There was no significant difference in the intensive care unit or total length of stay, in-hospital incidence rate, time to first CDI episode, or recurrence rate between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The CDI rates were not significantly higher in the FK506 group than the CSA group in our study. These data are consistent with previous studies on FK506 that show no increase in infectious complications over CSA, and demonstrate its continued safety in lung transplantation.

The rise of Clostridium difficile infection in lung transplant recipients in the modern era.

PURPOSE: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) rates have been rising in recent years. We aimed to characterize CDI in lung transplant recipients in the modern era and hypothesized that CDI would increase the mortality risk. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing transplantation at our center from 1/2006 to 7/2011. Attributes of CDI+ and CDI- groups were compared using Student's t- and chi-square tests (α = 0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to control for confounding factors. RESULTS: Overall CDI incidence was 22.5%. Seven of 151 patients (4.6%) developed CDI during the initial hospitalization after transplantation (mean time 10.6 ± 6 d) while 27 patients (19.7%) developed CDI after discharge (mean time 467 ± 471 d). Incidence rate was 224.6 cases/100 000 patient-days compared to 110 cases/100 000 patient-days (rate for entire hospital). CDI was not predictive of mortality (HR 2.06, 95% CI 0.94-4.52). CONCLUSION: CDI rates in lung transplant recipients are high in the modern era. No risk factors for CDI were identified. Although not statistically significant, CDI+ patients had a higher risk of death. The economic burden of CDI and trend toward worse outcomes for CDI patients have important implications for post-operative surveillance of CDI-related complications and need for CDI prophylaxis.

Lung transplantation after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary insufficiency following bone marrow transplant (BMT) is common and has significant associated mortality. Lung transplantation (LTX) is the only viable treatment for patients with end-stage pulmonary disease, but LTX after BMT is an uncommon event given the medical candidacy of the potential recipients. We sought to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of LTX in BMT recipients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective evaluation of our institution's longitudinal LTX and BMT databases. Demographic and outcomes variables were collected. RESULTS: We identified 639 LTX from January 1, 1988, through December 31, 2009, and 5525 BMT from program inception, March 21, 1974, through December 31, 2009. From the cross-referenced cohort, we identified four patients who had BMT followed by LTX. Our series was composed of two men and two women, with a mean age of 32.3 yr (range, 20-59 yr). Single LTX were performed in two recipients (50%). All patients had significant and expected morbidities related to their transplant immunosuppression. Three patients (75%) required cardiopulmonary bypass at the time of LTX. The two recipients who underwent bilateral LTX required open chest management and subsequent tracheostomy. All patients are still alive at follow-up (range, 19-119 months, median 39.5). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that LTX in the setting of BMT is a high-risk operation with the potential for a tumultuous perioperative course. Despite this, good outcomes and survival are obtainable in carefully selected patients. Selection factors include clinically stable patients without active sepsis and preoperative optimization of nutrition in anticipation of a prolonged recovery. An experienced multidisciplinary team approach and a protocol-driven management plan are paramount for successful outcomes in this challenging population.

Time since primary transplant and poor functional status predict survival after redo lung transplant.

Background: In previous studies, lower functional status measured by Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) correlated with worse survival after redo lung transplant. We hypothesize that combining reduced functional status and time from primary lung transplant will correlate with the etiology of lung allograft failure after primary lung transplant and more accurately predict survival after redo lung transplant. Methods: This retrospective study was approved by University of Minnesota Institutional Review Board. From the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) database, 739 patients underwent redo lung transplant (01/01/2005-8/30/2019). Pre-lung transplant characteristics, KPS, time between primary and redo lung transplant, outcomes, overall survival were evaluated. Paired comparisons were used to compare pre-transplant variables. A Cox regression model was fit to examine re-transplant survival. Due to non-proportional hazards, time between transplants was split into <1-year vs. 1+ years and analyzed with time-dependent coefficients, with follow-up time considered in three segments (0-6, 6-24, 24+ months). Results: After KPS grouping (10-40%, 50-70%, 80-100%), KPS 10-40% were less likely to be discharged after primary transplant and more likely required mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) bridging (P<0.001). Redo lung transplant survival was worse in the KPS 10-40% group who more likely underwent lung transplant <1 year after primary lung transplant. Mortality was significantly higher for patients who underwent redo lung transplant within one year of primary transplant when KPS was 10-40% (P<0.001). These patients were more likely to require redo lung transplant due to primary graft failure or acute cellular rejection. Conclusions: Functional status and time from primary lung transplant are strong predictors of outcome after redo lung transplant. We categorized redo lung transplant recipients in two distinct groups. One group has early allograft failure and poor functional status with a very poor prognosis after redo lung transplant. The other group has chronic allograft failure and overall better functional status with relatively better survival after redo lung transplant. Salvage redo lung transplant for primary allograft failure or acute rejection is associated with low one year survival.

Lung Transplant Recipients With Prior Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Are at Increased Risk of Death and Early Perioperative Hemorrhage.

Prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been considered a relative contraindication to lung transplantation due to the atherosclerotic disease burden and technical challenges. We hypothesized that lung transplant recipients with prior CABG have increased mortality compared to recipients without prior CABG. Further, the causes of death are different for lung transplant recipients with prior CABG vs without CABG. The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database was queried to define the survival and causes of death of lung transplant recipients with or without CABG during the Lung Allocation Score era from May 5, 2005 to December 31, 2015. The primary end-points were all-cause mortality at 1 year and 5 years, as well as mortality due to major causes of death. This retrospective study cohort included a total of 13,064 lung transplant recipients, of whom 319 patients had previously undergone CABG, representing 2.4% of all transplants. Patients without prior CABG were more likely to have undergone bilateral lung transplantation compared to those with prior CABG (61.2 % vs 15.7%, P < 0.001). Among patients with prior CABG, single right lung transplant was most common. Overall patient survival at 1 year was 76.8% for lung transplant recipients with prior CABG and 85.4% for patients without prior CABG. Freedom from death due to graft failure at 1 and 5 years in patients with a prior CABG was 93.1% and 76.2% respectively, cardiac and/or cerebrovascular disease 96.2% and 88.5% respectively, and hemorrhage 97.9% and 97.5% respectively. In a multivariate Cox regression model utilizing time-dependent coefficients for recipient age, prior CABG, among several other risk factors, was associated with increased mortality within 1 year. Prior CABG is associated with short- and long-term mortality in lung transplant recipients with history of CABG despite the majority of these patients undergoing single lung transplantation vs bilateral lung transplantation. Graft failure and/or pulmonary causes are the most common cause of death regardless of whether or not the lung transplant recipient had prior CABG, but patients with prior CABG are at increased risk of death due to graft failure, cardiac or cerebrovascular disease, and hemorrhage.

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of aprotinin to reduce primary graft dysfunction following lung transplantation.

PURPOSE: Severe primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is the major early problem following lung transplantation. Aprotinin, a serine protease inhibitor, has many anti-inflammatory properties that might reduce or prevent lung injury. Our hypothesis was that the incidence of PGD could be reduced by a combination of donor lung perfusion and systemic administration of aprotinin to recipients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study was randomized and placebo controlled. Donor lungs were perfused during procurement with 4 L Perfadex containing aprotinin (280 mg load + 70 mg/hL) or placebo. Aprotinin or placebo was also administered peri-operatively to the recipients. The study was powered to detect a 10% improvement in the primary endpoint of developing ISHLT grade III PGD anytime within 48 hr following the transplant procedure. RESULTS: There were 48 patients randomized. Diagnosis and the use of bypass were different between groups. The study was stopped prematurely at the planned interim analysis point because of published concerns about renal toxicity of aprotinin. There was no difference in the occurrence of the primary endpoint between groups of patients. The median change from the baseline creatinine level at 24, 48, 72 hr; 7 and 30 d following the transplant was not associated with the administration of aprotinin. CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of the primary endpoint between groups in the study. Excess renal failure related to aprotinin administration in a patient population at high risk for the event was not observed.

Risk of adverse outcomes associated with blood transfusion after cardiac surgery depends on the amount of transfusion.

BACKGROUND: Blood product transfusion has been known for immunosuppressive effects, and over-transfusion is linked with adverse outcomes. In cardiac surgery, the risk of non-transfusion can be poor postoperative oxygen delivery and hemorrhage. We hypothesized that infectious complications, organ dysfunction, and mortality result after a given threshold of blood product transfusion is exceeded. METHODS: Retrospectively, a prospectively maintained institutional database was analyzed from April 1, 2004 through December 31, 2006. All patients undergoing coronary artery bypass and/or valve operations were evaluated for bivariate and multivariate associations of blood-product transfusion with postoperative complications and mortality. Additionally, risk factors associated with transfusion were assessed. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves analyses were employed to determine transfusion thresholds associated with complications. RESULTS: During the study period, 741 patients met inclusion criteria. Fifty-four percent received postoperative blood-product transfusions. Previous cardiac intervention, renal dysfunction, stroke, and immunosuppression were some of the risks associated with transfusion (P < 0.05). Specific complications independently (P < 0.05) associated with total blood product transfusion identified from the multivariate analysis were infectious, neurologic, organ dysfunction, cardiac, and death. From ROC curve analyses, 5.5 units of total blood product transfusion was the inflection point for infectious complications (sensitivity 73%, specificity 64%) and organ dysfunction (sensitivity 73%, specificity 64%). For mortality, the inflection point was a transfusion of 7.5 units of total blood-products (sensitivity 73%, specificity 71%). CONCLUSION: Bloodless cardiac surgery is associated with a decreased morbidity and mortality. Limiting transfusion is advisable. Transfusion of less than 5.5 units of total blood-products may not have deleterious effects on outcomes.

Greater survival despite increased complication rates following lung transplant for alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency compared to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency (A1ATD) is characterized by accelerated degradation of lung function. We examined our experience with lung transplantation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with and without A1ATD to compare survival and rates of postoperative surgical complications. METHODS: Patients with A1ATD and non-A1ATD COPD undergoing lung transplantation from 1988-2015 at our institution were analyzed. Complications were categorized into non-gastroenteritis gastrointestinal (GI), wound, airway, and reoperation for bleeding. Overall and complication-free survival were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-five patients underwent lung transplant for COPD (98 A1ATD). For A1ATD, 56.1% underwent single lung transplantation (80.6% for COPD). Early overall and complication-free survival was worse for A1ATD, but this trend reversed at longer follow up. Unadjusted estimated survival showed advantage for COPD at 90 days and 1 year, which attenuated by 5 years and reversed at 10 years (P<0.001). On adjusted analysis, A1ATD was associated with a trend toward lower complication-free survival at 90 days and 1 year, due partly to increased rates of post-transplant GI pathology, particularly in the era of the lung allocation score (LAS). CONCLUSIONS: A1ATD lung recipients had worse short-term complication-free survival but improved long-term survival compared to COPD patients. A1ATD was associated with greater risk of new GI pathology after transplant. Close monitoring of A1ATD patients with timely evaluation of GI complaints after transplant is warranted.

Is distal aortic perfusion in traumatic thoracic aortic injuries necessary to avoid paraplegic postoperative outcomes?

OBJECTIVES: Traumatic thoracic aorta injuries account for nearly 8,000 deaths annually in the United States. Clamp-and-sew techniques can lead to high rates of paraplegia. Use of distal aortic perfusion can lead to heparin-related complications, particularly with associated head trauma. Our objective was to evaluate whether or not an individualized approach to operative management provides acceptable neurologic outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review (1991-2004) of patients with a traumatic thoracic aortic injury at a Level I trauma center was performed. RESULTS: A total of 67 patients fit the study criteria. Ninety-one percent of patients had concomitant injuries. Median time from injury to evaluation was 38.0 minutes and from evaluation to operating room (OR) 111.0 minutes. Fifty-three percent of patients died before definitive repair could be undertaken; 29% were in the emergency department and 24% were in the OR. When definitive repair occurred, distal aortic perfusion was used in 81% of cases (75% left heart bypass, 6% cardiopulmonary bypass). The remaining 19% underwent clamp-and-sew technique without heparinization. There were no spinal cord deficits or adverse cerebral events related to repair. If definitive repair was completed, the mortality was 16%. Male sex and increasing time, both to evaluation and to OR, were the only risk factors associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Judicious use of clamp-and-sew techniques can achieve excellent neurologic outcomes, equivalent to distal aortic perfusion. Prompt evaluation leads to improved survival. Factors such as age, mechanism of injury, site of aortic injury, or operative technique did not affect mortality.

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

BACKGROUND: We sought to clarify the effect of donor age as a continuous variable on morbidity and mortality in a single-institution experience. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.

Recommendations of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Working Group on Future Direction in Cardiac Surgery.

New surgical procedures, imaging modalities, and medical devices have improved therapy for many patients and made treatment possible for others who have had few options in the past. In February 2004, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) Advisory Council proposed that the institute evaluate the status and future directions in cardiac surgery. In response to this recommendation, the NHLBI convened a working group of cardiac surgeons on May 7 and 8, 2004, to assess the state of cardiac surgery research, identify critical gaps in current knowledge, determine areas of opportunity, and obtain specific recommendations for future research activities. The working group discussed surgical revascularization, novel surgical approaches, valvular research directions, biotechnology and cell-based therapy, heart failure, imaging modalities, and barriers to clinical research and presents its recommendations here.

The First Repair of Cor Triatriatum.

This article describes the first patient treated surgically for cor triatriatum, and also describes preoperative testing, operative findings, and procedures, as well as follow-up.

Process Improvement in Thoracic Donor Organ Procurement: Implementation of a Donor Assessment Checklist.

BACKGROUND: Donor organs are often procured by junior staff in stressful, unfamiliar environments where a single adverse event can be catastrophic. A formalized checklist focused on preprocedural processes related to thoracic donor organ procurement could improve detection and prevention of near miss events. METHODS: A checklist was developed centered on patient identifiers, organ compatibility and quality, and team readiness. It went through five cycles of feedback and revision using a panel of expert procurement surgeons. Educational in-service sessions were held on the use of the checklist as well as best organ assessment practices. Near miss events before the survey were tallied by retrospective review of 20 procurements, and near misses after checklist implementation were prospectively recorded. We implemented the checklist for 40 donor lung and heart procurements: 20 from Cleveland Clinic and 20 from the University of Minnesota. A final survey assessment was used to determine ease of use. RESULTS: Nine near miss events were reported in 20 procurements before use of the checklist. Thirty-one near miss events of 40 organ procurements were identified and potentially prevented by the checklist. Eighty-seven percent of fellows found the checklist to be unobtrusive to work flow, and 100% believed its use should be mandatory. Mortality was the same before and after implementation of the checklist despite increased patient volumes. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a simple checklist for use during thoracic organ procurement uncovered a substantial number of near miss events. A preprocedural checklist for all thoracic organ transplants in the United States and abroad is feasible and would likely reduce adverse events.

Acquired supravalvar aortic stenosis following heart transplantation: report of 2 cases.

We report 2 cases of acquired supravalvar aortic stenosis (SVAS) complicating orthotopic cardiac transplantation that contributed to the post-operative death of both patients. In the first patient the stenosis resulted from kinking of a too-long graft aortic component that was rendered into a fixed deformity by healed mediastinitis and constrictive pericarditis. Supra-aortic stenosis in the second patient occurred at a site of multiple aortic cannulations that was surrounded by dense fibrosis. Acquired SVAS contributed to the death of the first patient (who had graft arteriopathy) and was the proximate cause of death in the second patient. Specific echocardiography of the ascending aorta, which is not routinely performed, may detect SAVS.

Hemolysis, pump thrombus, and neurologic events in continuous-flow left ventricular assist device recipients.

BACKGROUND: An ongoing challenge in the management of patients with heart failure who receive left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is achieving optimal anticoagulation. Adverse prothrombotic events include hemolysis or pump thrombus (H/T) and neurologic events (NEs), and all limit the success of LVAD therapy. Our aim was to study the incidence and clinical outcomes associated with these events in a large single-center cohort. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively collected database of all patients receiving a HeartMate II (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, CA) LVAD from 2005 to 2012. Demographic, clinical, and outcome data were analyzed using standard statistical methods. All adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Of 193 patients receiving LVADs, we identified 39 H/T events in 26 (13.4%) patients and 22 NEs in 19 (9.8%) patients. Seventy-four percent of events occurred in the last 3 years of the series, during which time 63% of implants were placed. Of patients with H/T, 8 (31% of those having H/T, 4.1% of total) had more than 1 event and 4 (15.4% of those having H/T, 2.1% of total) underwent pump exchanges. Five (23%) patients had NEs after H/T, and 6 (32%) died as a result of the NE. Of patients with H/T, 27% had preceding episodes of infection, 31% had an international normalized ratio (INR) of less than 1.5, 31% had an INR of 1.5 to 2, 15% had a history of clotting or were hypercoagulable, and 4% had anticoagulation intentionally withheld. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), plasma hemoglobin, INR, and platelet determinations were significantly different at the time of H/T compared with baseline values. The survival at 6 months (alive or having undergone transplantation) for those with a prothrombotic event compared with those without was 70% versus 75.2% (p = 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of H/T or NEs is significant and results in major morbidity after LVAD placement. Infection and suboptimal anticoagulation are associated with the majority of these events. Identification of patients at higher risk for hemolysis (ie, infection) may allow for modification of anticoagulation regimens to reduce these risks and improve clinical outcomes.

Use of the donor lung after asphyxiation or drowning: effect on lung transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: With the relative paucity of acceptable donors for lung transplantation, criteria for extended donor consideration are being explored. We sought to evaluate the suitability of donors whose cause of death was asphyxiation or drowning (A/D) as a potential option to enlarge the donor pool. METHODS: We queried the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) Standard Transplant Analysis and Research registry for lung transplantation from 1987 to 2010 to assess associations between cause of death and recipient survival using the Kaplan-Meier method. To adjust for potential confounders, we used a Cox proportional hazards model and a logistic regression model to evaluate incidence of rejection within the first year. RESULTS: There were 18,250 adult primary lung transplantations performed, with 309 A/D donors. There was no difference in survival between groups (log-rank, p = 0.52). There were no differences in demographics, length of stay, airway dehiscence, lung allocation score (LAS), or ischemic time in univariate analysis (all p > 0.05). The A/D lung recipients had fewer deaths from pulmonary causes (5.8% versus 9.5%; p = 0.02). Proportional hazards analysis was significant for double lung transplantation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8-0.9), height difference (HR, 1.002; 95% CI, 1.00-1.003), donor age greater than 50 years (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83-0.96), and recipient age greater than 55 years (HR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.76-0.84). A/D cause of death did not impact survival in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A/D as a donor cause of death was not associated with poor long-term survival or incidence of rejection in the first year after transplantation. Donor cause of death by A/D, when carefully evaluated and selected, should not automatically exclude the organ from transplant consideration. These results provide important justification for potentially broadening the donor pool safely.