title: Pulmonary hemodynamics as predictors of mortality in patients awaiting lung transplantation.
abstract: Lung transplantation (LTx) is a therapeutic option for patients with end-stage lung disease. However, the mortality rate of patients on the waiting list is high. The purpose of this study was to examine the prognostic value of cardio-pulmonary hemodynamics for death in patients awaiting LTx. Retrospectively, 177 patients with advanced lung disease accepted for LTx at Sahlgrenska University Hospital from January 1990 through December 2003 were studied. Patient demographics, pulmonary function tests, gas exchange and hemodynamic variables were included in the analysis. Death while awaiting LTx was the primary endpoint for all analyses. Mean age was 49 +/- 9 years. Main diagnoses were alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency (n = 56), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 61), cystic fibrosis (n = 14) and interstitial lung disease (n = 46). Thirty patients died (17%). LTx was performed in 143 cases. By univariate analyses, forced vital capacity (FVC) % of predicted, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and diagnosis were associated with risk for death. In multivariate analysis PVR (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.06-1.41; P = 0.006) and FVC% of predicted (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94-0.99; P = 0.01) were independently associated with death. Patients with increased PVR and a lower FVC % of predicted awaiting LTx should be considered for a higher organ allocation priority. Assessment of pulmonary hemodynamics needs to be considered during evaluation for LTx.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. nedim.selimovic@vgregion.se
authors: Nedim
authors: N
authors: Selimovic
authors: Bert
authors: B
authors: Andersson
authors: Claes-Håkan
authors: CH
authors: Bergh
authors: Gunnar
authors: G
authors: Mårtensson
authors: Folke
authors: F
authors: Nilsson
authors: Odd
authors: O
authors: Bech-Hanssen
authors: Bengt
authors: B
authors: Rundqvist
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014850:Waiting Lists