Prevalence of obstructive coronary artery disease in patients undergoing lung transplantation: case series and review of the literature.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Coronary angiography is commonly performed prior to lung transplantation, but its utility is unproven. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective analysis of consecutive patients referred for coronary angiography as part of a pre-operative evaluation for lung transplantation and reviewed the literature for prior series. RESULTS: A total of 89 patients, 48 men and 41 women were included. Obstructive (≥70% stenosis) CAD was present in 9 (10%), non-obstructive (<70% stenosis) CAD in 24 (27%), and no angiographic evidence of CAD in 56 (63%) patients. We found 13 previously published series in the literature, in which a total of 1998 patients underwent coronary angiography pre-lung transplant. Together with our 89 patients, obstructive CAD was found in 11%. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, given the low prevalence of obstructive CAD in patients referred for lung transplantation, the inherent risk of angiography, and unproven benefit of detection of obstructive CAD, the utility of routine coronary angiography in this population requires validation in prospective studies.