Evolution of Recipient Characteristics Over 3 Decades and Impact on Survival After Lung Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Lung transplantation (LTx) is a definitive treatment for end-stage lung disease. Herein, we reviewed our center experience over 3 decades to examine the evolution of recipient characteristics and contemporary predictors of survival for LTx. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of LTx procedures performed at our institution from January 1990 to January 2019 (n = 1819). The cohort is divided into 3 eras; I: 1990-1998 (n = 152), II: 1999-2008 (n = 521), and III: 2009-2018 (n = 1146). Univariate and multivariate analyses of survival in era III were performed. RESULTS: Pulmonary fibrosis has become the leading indication for LTx (13% in era I, 57% in era III). Median recipient age increased (era I: 46 y-era III: 61 y) as well as intraoperative mechanical circulatory support (era I: 0%-era III: 6%). Higher lung allocation score was associated with primary graft dysfunction (P < 0.0001), postoperative extracorporeal mechanical support (P < 0.0001), and in-hospital mortality (P = 0.002). In era III, hypoalbuminemia, thrombocytopenia, and high primary graft dysfunction grade were multivariate predictors of early mortality. The 5-y survival in eras II (55%) and III (55%) were superior to era I (40%, P < 0.001). Risk factors for late mortality in era III included recipient age, chronic allograft dysfunction, renal dysfunction, high model for end-stage liver disease score, and single LTx. CONCLUSIONS: In this longitudinal single-center study, recipient characteristics have evolved to include sicker patients with greater complexity of procedures and risk for postoperative complications but without significant impact on hospital mortality or long-term survival. With advancing surgical techniques and perioperative management, there is room for further progress in the field.