Early experience of a new national lung allocation scheme in the UK based on clinical urgency.

INTRODUCTION: A new UK Lung Allocation Scheme (UKLAS) was introduced in 2017, replacing the previous geographic allocation system. Patients are prioritised according to predefined clinical criteria into a three-tier system: the super-urgent lung allocation scheme (SULAS), the urgent lung allocation scheme (ULAS) and the non-urgent lung allocation scheme (NULAS). This study assessed the early impact of this scheme on waiting-list and post-transplant outcomes. METHODS: A cohort study of adult lung transplant registrations between March 2015 and November 2016 (era-1) and between May 2017 and January 2019 (era-2). Outcomes from registration were compared between eras and stratified by urgency tier and diagnostic group. RESULTS: During era-1, 461 patients were registered. In era-2, 471 patients were registered (19 (4.0%) SULAS, 82 (17.4%) ULAS and 370 (78.6%) NULAS). SULAS patients were younger (median age 35 vs 50 and 55 for urgent and non-urgent, respectively, p=0.0015) and predominantly suffered from cystic fibrosis (53%) or pulmonary fibrosis (37%). Between eras 1 and 2, the odds of transplantation within 6 months of registration were increased (OR=1.41, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.85, p=0.0142) despite only a 5% increase in transplant activity. Median time-to-transplantation during era-1 was 427 days compared with waiting times in era-2 of 8 days for SULAS, 15 days for ULAS and 585 days for NULAS patients. Waiting-list mortality (15% era-1 vs 13% era-2; p=0.5441) and post-transplant survival at 1 year (81.3% era-1 vs 83.3% era-2; p=0.6065) were similar between eras. CONCLUSION: The UKLAS scheme prioritises the critically ill and improves transplantation odds. The true impact on waiting-list mortality and post-transplant survival requires further follow-up.

Management of ganciclovir resistance cytomegalovirus infection with CMV hyperimmune globulin and leflunomide in seven cardiothoracic transplant recipients and literature review.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease caused by genetically resistant CMV poses a major challenge in solid organ transplant recipients, and the development of resistance is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Antiviral resistance affects 5%-12% of patients following ganciclovir (GCV) therapy, but is more common in individuals with specific underlying risk factors. These include the CMV D+R- serostatus, type of transplanted organ, dose and duration of (Val)GCV ([V]GCV) prophylaxis, peak viral loads, and the intensity of immunosuppressive therapy. Guideline recommendations for the management of GCV resistance (GanR) in solid organ transplant recipients are based on expert opinion as there is a lack of data from controlled trials. Second-line options to treat GanR include foscarnet (FOS) and cidofovir (CDV), but these drugs are often poorly tolerated due to high rates of toxicity, such as renal dysfunction and neutropenia. Here, we report seven cardiothoracic transplant recipients with GCV resistance CMV infection from our centre treated with CMV immunoglobulin (CMVIG) +/- leflunomide (LEF) and reviewed the literature on the use of these agents in this therapeutic setting.

Assessing the validity and applicability of the French 3-year prognostic score in the UK cystic fibrosis population - a national cohort study.

Models that predict outcomes, aid prognostication and inform the assessment of urgency for lung transplantation (LT) in CF are in demand. A prognostic score derived from the French adult CF registry to predict death or LT over 3-year follow-up was described in 2017 and validated using Canadian CF registry data. We assessed its performance in the UK CF population. The French prognostic score was applied to untransplanted adults with CF. The index year (2014) and outcomes (Death or LT) were evaluated to 2017. Receiver operator characteristics plots and area under curve (AUC) was computed. 4407 adults with CF met the inclusion criteria. After 3 years, 7.1% (P < 0.001) were dead or had received LT compared to the French (12.8%) and Canadian (9.4%) cohorts. The French score deemed 592 (26.2%) 'High-risk' - death/LT occurred in 189/592 (30.2%), less than previously reported in France and Canada (P < 0.0001). The discriminatory power of the French score was lower (AUC 0.830) than reported. Recalibration yielded only marginal improvement in model performance (AUC 0.833). The French prognostic score does not perform as well in the UK as reported elsewhere. Bespoke UK scores are needed to aid prognostication and inform LT decision-making.

Effect of Thoracoscopic Talc Poudrage vs Talc Slurry via Chest Tube on Pleurodesis Failure Rate Among Patients With Malignant Pleural Effusions: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is challenging to manage. Talc pleurodesis is a common and effective treatment. There are no reliable data, however, regarding the optimal method for talc delivery, leading to differences in practice and recommendations. Objective: To test the hypothesis that administration of talc poudrage during thoracoscopy with local anesthesia is more effective than talc slurry delivered via chest tube in successfully inducing pleurodesis. Design, Setting, and Participants: Open-label, randomized clinical trial conducted at 17 UK hospitals. A total of 330 participants were enrolled from August 2012 to April 2018 and followed up until October 2018. Patients were eligible if they were older than 18 years, had a confirmed diagnosis of MPE, and could undergo thoracoscopy with local anesthesia. Patients were excluded if they required a thoracoscopy for diagnostic purposes or had evidence of nonexpandable lung. Interventions: Patients randomized to the talc poudrage group (n = 166) received 4 g of talc poudrage during thoracoscopy while under moderate sedation, while patients randomized to the control group (n = 164) underwent bedside chest tube insertion with local anesthesia followed by administration of 4 g of sterile talc slurry. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was pleurodesis failure up to 90 days after randomization. Secondary outcomes included pleurodesis failure at 30 and 180 days; time to pleurodesis failure; number of nights spent in the hospital over 90 days; patient-reported thoracic pain and dyspnea at 7, 30, 90, and 180 days; health-related quality of life at 30, 90, and 180 days; all-cause mortality; and percentage of opacification on chest radiograph at drain removal and at 30, 90, and 180 days. Results: Among 330 patients who were randomized (mean age, 68 years; 181 [55%] women), 320 (97%) were included in the primary outcome analysis. At 90 days, the pleurodesis failure rate was 36 of 161 patients (22%) in the talc poudrage group and 38 of 159 (24%) in the talc slurry group (adjusted odds ratio, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.54-1.55]; P = .74; difference, -1.8% [95% CI, -10.7% to 7.2%]). No statistically significant differences were noted in any of the 24 prespecified secondary outcomes. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with malignant pleural effusion, thoracoscopic talc poudrage, compared with talc slurry delivered via chest tube, resulted in no significant difference in the rate of pleurodesis failure at 90 days. However, the study may have been underpowered to detect small but potentially important differences. Trial Registration: ISRCTN Identifier: ISRCTN47845793.

Patient outcomes from time of listing for lung transplantation in the UK: are there disease-specific differences?

BACKGROUND: The demand for lung transplantation vastly exceeds the availability of donor organs. This translates into long waiting times and high waiting list mortality. We set out to examine factors influencing patient outcomes from the time of listing for lung transplantation in the UK, examining for differences by patient characteristics, lung disease category and transplant centre. METHODS: Data were obtained from the UK Transplant Registry held by NHS Blood and Transplant for adult lung-only registrations between 1January 2004 and 31 March 2014. Pretransplant and post-transplant outcomes were evaluated against lung disease category, blood group and height. RESULTS: Of the 2213 patient registrations, COPD comprised 28.4%, pulmonary fibrosis (PF) 26.2%, cystic fibrosis (CF) 25.4% and other lung pathologies 20.1%. The chance of transplantation after listing differed by the combined effect of disease category and centre (p<0.001). At 3 years postregistration, 78% of patients with COPD were transplanted followed by 61% of patients with CF, 59% of other lung pathology patients and 48% of patients with PF, who also had the highest waiting list mortality (37%). The chance of transplantation also differed by height with taller patients having a greater chance of transplant (HR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.04, p<0.001). Patients with blood group O had the highest waiting mortality at 3 years postregistration compared with all other blood groups (27% vs 20%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The way donor lungs were allocated in the UK resulted in discrepancies between the risk profile and probability of lung transplantation. A new donor lung allocation scheme was introduced in 2017 to try to address these shortcomings.

The use of CMVIg rescue therapy in cardiothoracic transplantation: A single-center experience over 6 years (2011-2017).

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most important infectious agent in solid organ transplant recipients and has a major impact on morbidity and mortality. Most cases are well managed with antiviral agents, but CMV hyperimmune globulin (CMVIg) can be used alongside antiviral therapy for prophylaxis in high-risk thoracic organ recipients and to treat life-threatening CMV infection or disease. CMVIg may also improve antiviral host defences when genetic resistance to antivirals or unwanted side effects occur. In this single-center, retrospective study, we reviewed the CMVIg use to supplement antiviral therapy as a "rescue therapy" in cardiothoracic transplant recipients. These comprised 12 single lung, 11 double lung, and 12 heart transplant recipients. Patients received a median of 2 doses of CMVIg, most often in combination with ganciclovir or valganciclovir, and reduced immunosuppression. One week after rescue therapy was initiated, CMV DNA levels were significantly reduced, and after four weeks, CMV DNA was undetectable in 73% patients. Only one patient died as a result of CMV-related disease. No significant adverse effects were observed. We conclude that CMVIg rescue therapy is safe, well tolerated, and effective at controlling viral replication in cardiothoracic transplant recipients.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Urokinase versus Placebo for Nondraining Malignant Pleural Effusion.

RATIONALE: Patients with malignant pleural effusion experience breathlessness, which is treated by drainage and pleurodesis. Incomplete drainage results in residual dyspnea and pleurodesis failure. Intrapleural fibrinolytics lyse septations within pleural fluid, improving drainage. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of intrapleural urokinase on dyspnea and pleurodesis success in patients with nondraining malignant effusion. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial. Patients with nondraining effusion were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to intrapleural urokinase (100,000 IU, three doses, 12-hourly) or matched placebo. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Co-primary outcome measures were dyspnea (average daily 100-mm visual analog scale scores over 28 d) and time to pleurodesis failure to 12 months. Secondary outcomes were survival, hospital length of stay, and radiographic change. A total of 71 subjects were randomized (36 received urokinase, 35 placebo) from 12 U.K. centers. The baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. There was no difference in mean dyspnea between groups (mean difference, 3.8 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI], -12 to 4.4 mm; P = 0.36). Pleurodesis failure rates were similar (urokinase, 13 of 35 [37%]; placebo, 11 of 34 [32%]; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.2; P = 0.65). Urokinase was associated with decreased effusion size visualized by chest radiography (adjusted relative improvement, -19%; 95% CI, -28 to -11%; P < 0.001), reduced hospital stay (1.6 d; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.6; P = 0.049), and improved survival (69 vs. 48 d; P = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Use of intrapleural urokinase does not reduce dyspnea or improve pleurodesis success compared with placebo and cannot be recommended as an adjunct to pleurodesis. Other palliative treatments should be used. Improvements in hospital stay, radiographic appearance, and survival associated with urokinase require further evaluation. Clinical trial registered with ISRCTN (12852177) and EudraCT (2008-000586-26).

Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor as a Bridge to Lung Retransplant in a Recipient With Cystic Fibrosis.

The triple-combination cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulator elexacaftor/- tezacaftor/ivacaftor is known to improve lung function and have extrapulmonary benefits in people with cystic fibrosis. However, there is limited evidence for its use in patients with cystic fibrosis after lung transplant, where the donor lung expresses normal levels of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. We describe the use of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor as a bridge to potential lung retransplant in a 37-year-old man with cystic fibrosis and chronic lung allograft dysfunction. Although forced expiratory volume in 1 second did not improve, the patient had decreased sputum volume, no pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis, and no longer required continuous antibiotic therapy. Pancreatic function, revised Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire scores, sinus symptoms, weight, and corticosteroid dependence significantly improved. There were no reported side effects attributable to elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor. However, the patient exhibited declined renal function, which had been initially attributed to lability in cyclosporin levels but which were corrected after lithotripsy for renal calculi. Triple-combination modulators of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator may offer benefits to carefully selected individuals awaiting retransplant, balanced against the risk of worsened immunosuppressant level control.

The renoprotective effect of concomitant fosfomycin in the treatment of pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Fosfomycin, effective in Cystic Fibrosis (CF), competes with aminoglycosides at renal binding sites and may therefore afford a renoprotective effect when used in combination therapy. We explored this by using markers of acute renal tubular damage [N-acetyl-ß-d-glucose-aminidase (NAG), alanine amino-peptidase (AAP) and ß2-microglobulin]. METHODS: Using a prospective randomized crossover trial design, at an acute pulmonary exacerbation, 18 adult CF patients received either 14 days of intravenous (IV) tobramycin or IV tobramycin and IV fosfomycin, both in combination with a second IV antibiotic (colomycin). RESULTS: Urinary NAG (P = 0.003) and AAP (P = 0.03) following treatment with concomitant fosfomycin were lower than those after treatment with tobramycin and colomycin alone. Fosfomycin attenuated the total 24-h urinary protein leak (P = 0.0001). The 14-day improvements in all surrogate markers of exacerbation resolution (FEV1% predicted, FVC, white cell count and C-reactive protein) were similar for both treatment regimens. CONCLUSION: The addition of fosfomycin reduces acute renal injury caused by IV aminoglycoside therapy in CF pulmonary exacerbations.

Lung clearance index in detection of post-transplant bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcomes after lung transplantation are often limited by the development of obliterative bronchiolitis (OB), which is clinically defined using spirometry as bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). Lung clearance index (LCI), derived from multiple breath washout (MBW) testing, is a global measure of ventilation heterogeneity that has previously been shown to be a more sensitive measure of obstructive small airway diseases than spirometry. We aimed to assess the feasibility of LCI in adult lung transplant patients and to compare LCI to BOS grade. METHODS: 51 stable adult double-lung transplant recipients performed sulfur hexafluoride MBW in triplicate on a single occasion, using a closed-circuit Innocor device. BOS grades were derived from serial spirometry according to International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation criteria and, where available, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) evidence of OB was recorded. RESULTS: LCI was successfully performed in 98% of patients. The within-visit coefficient of variation for repeat LCI measurements was 3.1%. Mean LCI increased significantly with BOS grades: no BOS (n=15), LCI 7.6; BOS-0p (n=16), LCI 8.3; BOS-1 (n=11), LCI 9.3; BOS-2-3 (n=9), LCI 13.2 (p<0.001). 27 patients had HRCT within 12 months. LCI in those with HRCT evidence of OB was higher than those without OB (11.1 versus 8.2, p=0.006). 47% patients displayed abnormal LCI (>7) despite a normal forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (>80% of baseline). CONCLUSIONS: LCI measurement in lung transplant recipients is feasible and reproducible. LCI increased with increasing BOS grade. A significant proportion of this cohort had abnormal LCI with preserved FEV1, suggesting early subclinical small airway dysfunction, and supporting a role for MBW in the early identification of BOS.

Acute renal failure in CF patients chronically infected by the Liverpool epidemic Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain (LES).

Although acute renal failure has been described in children with CF in relation to intravenous aminoglycoside use, there are no reports in the adult CF literature. We describe 8 cases of acute renal failure in adult CF patients, all occurring during the use of intravenous aminoglycosides for the treatment of pulmonary exacerbations with an epidemic multi-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain. Potential contributory factors are discussed. These cases demonstrate another complication of infection by epidemic Pseudomonas strains in CF, and confirm the need for effective segregation policies to prevent this.

Nebulized tobramycin in the treatment of adult CF pulmonary exacerbations.

BACKGROUND: Repeated courses of intravenous (IV) aminoglycosides in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are associated with cumulative nephrotoxicity. Targeting their delivery through the inhaled route during acute pulmonary exacerbations may also be effective, but without systemic side effects. METHODS: Using a randomized crossover trial design, in a pilot study we compared 14 days of IV tobramycin with nebulized tobramycin 300 mg twice a day (TNS) in acute respiratory exacerbations in 20 CF adults chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Psa). Patients also received IV colistin in both arms. RESULTS: Improvement in spirometry was similar between the two groups [mean change in FEV1 % predicted: IV group 16.4 (standard deviation 8.5) versus TNS group 19.9 (11.3), p=0.26], but there was more suppression of sputum Psa in the TNS group [mean difference between treatments 0.85 log10 colony-forming units/mL (CI 0.03 to 1.67), p=0.05]. IV tobramycin was associated with a greater urinary protein leak [mean difference between treatments 0.59 mg/24 hr (0.30 to 0.87), p=0.0005] and higher urinary levels of markers of acute renal tubular injury: N-acetylglucosaminidase [0.72 IU/mmol (0.37 to 1.07), p=0.0004], alanine aminopeptidase [1.19 IU/mmol (0.70 to 1.68), p=0.0001], and ß2-microglobulin [0.44 µg/mmol (0.16 to 0.72), p=0.0046] than TNS. Compared with IV tobramycin, TNS treatment prolonged the time to next exacerbation requiring hospitalization (p<0.001). Patient satisfaction was similar with both treatments, and no serious adverse effects were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: TNS is effective in treating acute exacerbations of Psa in CF patients, but with a renal sparing potential compared with the IV preparation.

Segmental mediolytic arteriopathy with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder of the lung: case report and review of the literature.

Segmental mediolytic arteriopathy (SMA) is an extremely rare condition of uncertain etiology causing degeneration of arterial media, intramural dissection or the rupture of aneurysms. It is recognized as a rare cause of fatal intra-abdominal bleeding. We report the first case of recurrent intra-abdominal bleeding secondary to SMA in a lung transplant patient, with a further complication of lymphoproliferative disease in the transplanted lung. We discuss the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, imaging characteristics and the complexities of management in this case.

Early experience with the Levitronix Centrimag device for extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation following lung transplantation.

Extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is accepted as a salvage therapy to treat life-threatening complications following lung transplantation such as primary graft dysfunction, acute rejection or airway dehiscence. Levitronix Centrimag (Levitronix LLC, Waltham, MA) is a centrifugal pump that consists of a magnetically levitated bearing-less rotor designed to reduce blood friction. ECMO using the Levitronix Centrimag pump may be an ideal medium-term support for lung transplant recipients suffering these serious complications. We describe our early experience of using ECMO with Levitronix Centrimag device and the Hilite hollow fibre membrane oxygenator (Medos Hilite LT, Medos Medizintechnik AG) in three cases following lung transplantation. The device is technically easy to implant and manage with a low complication rate on minimal anticoagulation.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenator as a bridge to successful surgical repair of bronchopleural fistula following bilateral sequential lung transplantation: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Lung transplantation (LTx) is widely accepted as a therapeutic option for end-stage respiratory failure in cystic fibrosis. However, airway complications remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients, serious airway complications like bronchopleural fistula (BPF) are rare, and their management is very difficult. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old man with end-stage respiratory failure due to cystic fibrosis underwent bilateral sequential lung transplantation. Severe post-operative bleeding occurred due to dense intrapleural adhesions of the native lungs. He was re-explored and packed leading to satisfactory haemostasis. He developed a bronchopleural fistula on the 14th post-operative day. The fistula was successfully repaired using pericardial and intercostal vascular flaps with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (VV-ECMO) support. Subsequently his recovery was uneventful. CONCLUSION: The combination of pedicled intercostal and pericardial flaps provide adequate vascular tissue for sealing a large BPF following LTx. Veno-venous ECMO allows a feasible bridge to recovery.