National Trends in Extended Criteria Donor Utilization and Outcomes for Lung Transplantation.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Extended criteria donor (ECD) for lung transplantation (LTx) have been implemented due to the donor organ shortage. The impact on recipient survival is under investigation. We report trends in the use of extended criteria lungs in the modern era and its association with survival outcomes using a large national database. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of all adult LTx from May 2005 to December 2018 using the United Network for Organ Sharing database. ECD were defined by 2 or more variances from standard criteria age ≥ 55 years, pO2 ≤ 300, pack years ≥ 20, diabetes, purulent bronchoscopy, blood infection, or abnormal chest radiographs. Transplant centers were dichotomized based on volume. Recipient survival was analyzed using lung allocation score as a covariate. RESULTS: Of 24,888 LTx, 80% had extended criteria; 42% had 2 or more extensions and were deemed ECD in this analysis. Both LTx volume (2005 1352; 2018 2495) and use of ECD (2005 27% ECD, 2018 50% ECD) have increased over the study period. Survival of LTx recipients has steadily increased (2005 82% 1-year survival in 2005; 2017 90% 1-year survival). High-volume centers (>47 annual LTx) utilized ECD in 46% of transplants compared with 40% ECD among other centers. Recipients of ECD and standard criteria organs had no difference in 1-year survival. CONCLUSIONS: Donor supply limits the number of LTx performed. Extension of donor criteria has occurred alongside increased overall LTx volume. Use of ECD did not compromise 30-day, 90-day, nor 1-year survival. Further studies are warranted to define long-term outcomes.