Transplantation for work-related lung disease in the USA.

OBJECTIVES: Work-related lung diseases (WRLDs) are entirely preventable. To assess the impact of WRLDs on the US transplant system, we identified adult lung transplant recipients with a WRLD diagnosis specified at the time of transplant to describe demographic, payer and clinical characteristics of these patients and to assess post-transplant survival. METHODS: Using US registry data from 1991 to 2018, we identified lung transplant recipients with WRLDs including coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, asbestosis, metal pneumoconiosis and berylliosis. RESULTS: The frequency of WRLD-associated transplants has increased over time. Among 230 lung transplants for WRLD, a majority were performed since 2009; 79 were for coal workers' pneumoconiosis and 78 were for silicosis. Patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis were predominantly from West Virginia (n=31), Kentucky (n=23) or Virginia (n=10). States with the highest number of patients with silicosis transplant were Pennsylvania (n=12) and West Virginia (n=8). Patients with metal pneumoconiosis and asbestosis had the lowest and highest mean age at transplant (48.8 and 62.1 years). Median post-transplant survival was 8.2 years for patients with asbestosis, 6.6 years for coal workers' pneumoconiosis and 7.8 years for silicosis. Risk of death among patients with silicosis, coal workers' pneumoconiosis and asbestosis did not differ when compared with patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Lung transplants for WRLDs are increasingly common, indicating a need for primary prevention and surveillance in high-risk occupations. Collection of patient occupational history by the registry could enhance case identification and inform prevention strategies.

[Diffuse bronchomalacia after double lung transplantation. Thoughts apropos of a case]. / Bronchomalacie diffuse après greffe pulmonaire bilatérale. Réflexions à propos d'un cas.

A 40 year old woman suffered from respiratory insufficiency (arterial PaO2 = 47 mmHg) because of a chronic beryllium intoxication. On 6th June 1990, she underwent double lung transplantation with cardio-pulmonary bypass. Each lung was separately implanted via an extra-pericardial approach, and both bronchi were anastomosed at the hilum. On the seventh post operative day, a severe bilateral bronchial ischemia was noticed (black mucosa). Few weeks later, a diffuse bronchomalacia was noticed in the proximal and distal parts of both bronchial trees. To our knowledge, such a bronchial post-ischemic complication has never been reported. The explantation could be several added causes: imperfect preservation of the lung during harvesting, post operative pulmonary oedema, and operative use of an antifibrinolytic agent (aprotinin).