Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Complications and Mortality in the Early Postoperative Period After Heart Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak directly impacted heart transplantation (HT) surgery activity. Reallocating resources and converting surgical intensive care units to COVID-19 facilities led to reduced accessibility and quality of health care facilities to heart recipient patients. AIM: To study the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on heart transplantation activity and outcomes in the early postoperative period. METHODS: Retrospective data analysis of patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation in our institution from March 2018 to February 2022. The patient population (N = 281) included 223 (79.4%) men and 58 (20.6%) women. The perioperative data of the prepandemic group, March 2018 to February 2020 (N = 130), and the pandemic group, March 2020 to February 2022 (N = 151), were compared. RESULTS: We found differences in preoperative inotropic support between the groups (N = 43 (33.1%) vs N = 72 (47.7%), P < .05), respectively). The number of urgent HTs increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 51 (39.2%), vs N = 72 (47.7%), P = .155). Analyzed groups did not differ according to renal, pulmonary, or neurology complications. Intensive care unit (ICU) standing time was longer in the pandemic group (6 days [3-12] vs 11 days [5-12], P < .001). CONCLUSION: We found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of end-stage heart failure recipients requiring cardiac support increased. Extended time of ICU standing in the pandemic group may be related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although some efforts have been made to reduce the impact of the pandemic, more research is required.

Assessment of Quality of Life Among Patients After Lung Transplantation: A Single-Center Study.

INTRODUCTION: Lung transplantation (LTx) is the only effective method of treatment to improve the health and quality of life (QoL) of patients with end-stage lung diseases. After LTx, medical examination accompanied by quality of life assessment should be performed on routine follow-up visits. The aim of the study was to assess the QoL of patients after LTx. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 60 patients (29 women and 31 men); 20 patients received single lung transplantation (SLT), and 40 received double lung transplantation (DLT). To determine the patient's QoL, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Test-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were used. Spirometry and the 6-minute walk test were analyzed to examine efficiency of transplanted organs. RESULTS: In SGRQ there are differences between patients with cystic fibrosis and interstitial lung disease in symptom domain (20.28% vs 39.26%, P = .025) and total score (19.38% vs 32.47%, P = .028). As reported in the GHQ, men had worse overall results than women in sten scale (5.22 points vs 4.69 points). Patients after SLT achieved similar scores in every questionnaire. CONCLUSION: Studies assessing QoL should be an important addition to lung function tests and an integral part of control during postoperative follow-up visits. This study is one of the important contributions to understanding of how essential QoL is after LTx. The authors of this study realize that their work does not cover the whole issue, and further studies in this area are warranted.

The Impact of Airway Complications on Survival Among Lung Transplant Recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Long-term outcomes of airway complications (AC) after lung transplantation are unknown. The incidence of AC varies from 1.6% to 32% with the related mortality rate of 2% to 4%. The management of most AC is based on endobronchial methods, including balloon bronchoplasty, endobronchial stent placement, and ablative techniques. The aim of the study was to assess the connection between airway complications treated by bronchial intervention (BI) and the survival of lung transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The single-center retrospective study reviewed the cases of 165 patients (63 women [38.18%], 103 men [61, 82%]; median age at referral for lung transplantations (LTx), 41 years [range, 15-68 years]). The cohort was stratified into 2 groups comprising those whose procedures were complicated by ACs and those without. The primary outcome measured was mortality, with survival endpoints calculated at 6 months. RESULTS: The comparison of the survival of recipients regarding underlying disease (cystic fibrosis [CF], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension [IPAH], and others) with the use of the Kaplan-Meier estimator indicated that the only statistically significant (P = .0194) differences between patients who underwent BI and patients without BI performed were observed in CF patients (Fig 1). In any other diagnosis, the results were not statistically significant (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Bronchoscopic intervention because of airway complications after lung transplantation are often-used procedures, but they have no impact on the survival of patients with cystic fibrosis.

Bronchoscopic Interventions as a Management of Airway Complications After Lung Transplant Including Assessment of Risk Factors With Special Consideration for Pretransplant Pulmonary Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Lung transplant (LTx) is a procedure associated with risk of complications related to airway stenosis that can be treated with bronchoscopic interventions (BIs). The aim of the study was to assess the frequency and risk factors associated with increased need of bronchial interventions in the post-transplant period. METHODS: The retrospective study reviewed cases of 165 patients (63 women) who underwent LTx from April 2013 to June 2019. For dichotomous discrete variables (occurrence or lack of intervention) multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the aforementioned risk factors. RESULTS: BIs were required among 38.55% of lung recipients (n = 65). The number of interventions/patient/y decreases between years 1 and 2 (P < .001), 2 and 3 (P = .013), and 3 and 4 (P < .001); after the fourth year post LTx the differences are not statistically significant. Each 1 mm Hg above 25 mm Hg of mean pulmonary arterial pressure causes statistically significant elevation in the number of interventions by 0.7% in the first year after the procedure. The number of BIs per patient among lung recipients who received a transplant because of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension was statistically significantly higher compared with patients with another underlying lung disease. CONCLUSIONS: Airway complications developed in the post-transplant period caused a significant number of patients to be in need of BI, especially balloon bronchoplasty. The highest number of interventions occurred within the first year after LTx, and BI decreases over time. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure measured during qualification may have the ability to predict whether the patient would require BI after LTx.

Single Lung Transplant vs Double Lung Transplant: A Single-Center Experience With Particular Consideration for Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Lung transplant remains the only viable treatment for certain patients with end-stage lung diseases. Such patients can become either single or double lung recipients. The 2 procedures are associated with specific risks and benefits. The aim of the study was to assess the survival of patients after lung transplant in a single center. METHODS: The retrospective study consists of 128 lung transplant recipients. Patients underwent transplant between 2004 and 2017 because of following diseases: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (28.2%), cystic fibrosis (26.5%), and primary pulmonary hypertension (12.3%), including idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and interstitial lung diseases (33%). Patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension were not treated with postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as left heart conditioning. RESULTS: Regardless of underlying disease, 75% of DLT recipients and 51% of SLT recipients reached 5-year survival (P = .0066). A total of 87% of lung transplant recipients with cystic fibrosis reached 1-year survival. Among lung recipients with primary pulmonary hypertension who underwent DLT and SLT, 5-year survival was reached by 84% and 51%, respectively (P = .025). Among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 82% of DLT recipients and 62% of SLT recipients reached 1-year survival (P = .22). Patients who received transplants because of primary pulmonary hypertension presented the worst short-term survival among all SLT recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CF have the best overall survival among all lung transplant recipients. Double lung transplant provides statistically significantly better outcomes than single lung transplant. This observation is also present among recipients who underwent transplant because of primary pulmonary hypertension, as single lung transplant is not recommended among such patients in particular.

Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension Among Patients Qualified for Lung Transplantation: Single-Center Study.

INTRODUCTION: Secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious complication of end-stage lung disease and is associated with unfavorable prognosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence and severity of secondary PH among patients qualified for lung transplantation (LTx). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 143 patients qualified for LTx between 2004 and 2019. Analyzed medical records included results collected during the qualification process (eg, echocardiography parameters, right heart catherization [RHC]). There were 37.8% (n = 54) of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 58.7% (n = 84) of patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), and 3.5% (n = 5) of patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE). The inclusion criteria were ILDs, COPD or CPFE diagnosis, and the presence of RHC data preformed during qualification for LTx. The exclusion criteria were lack of RHC results and diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension, pulmonary artery hypertension associated with connective tissue disease, cystic fibrosis, or bronchiectasis. RESULTS: PH was detected among 60.1% (n = 86) of patients qualified for LTx. The prevalence of PH was 39% (n = 18) vs 76.19% (n = 64) in the COPD vs ILDs groups, respectively. Both ILDs and COPD patients presented with similar mean artery pulmonary pressure (36.3 ± 9.61 vs 34.78 ± 11.47 mm Hg; not statistically significant). Severe PH was more frequent in the ILDs group than in the COPD group (60.94% vs 38.89%). CONCLUSIONS: PH is commonly diagnosed in patients with chronic lung diseases qualified for LTx and more often observed among patients qualified because of ILDs. It is important to assess the pulmonary pressure because of frequent occurrence of PH among patients referred for LTx.

Cystic Fibrosis: From Qualification to Lung Transplantation, a Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND Cystic fibrosis (CF) is congenital multisystem disorder, that leads to gradual deterioration of pulmonary function. Advancements in therapy of CF-related lung disease have delayed its progression. However, lung transplantation remains the only therapeutic option for majority of such patients. Aim of the study was to assess qualification process and outcome of lung transplantation as a treatment of CF patients qualified in a single center between 2011 and 2018. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study assessed 41 patients who were qualified to be treated by means of lung transplantation due to CF in Lung Transplant Program of Silesian Center for Heart Diseases between 2011 and 2018. Analysis of patients during qualification process and after lung transplantation was performed. Lung recipients were observed during 1-year follow-up by means of pulmonary function tests. RESULTS 1-year survival was noted among 80% of the patients; 3-year survival and 5-year survival were noted among 70% of the recipients. Mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) increased after lung transplantation: 21.19% at qualification; and 76.67% at 12 months after lung transplantation. Mean forced vital capacity (FVC) results also improved: 34.18% at qualification and 78.34% at 12 months after lung transplantation. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) before and after treatment noted an increase of 175.55 m. CONCLUSIONS Lung transplantation improves respiratory capacity of CF patients and prolongs their life.