Donor factors are associated with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is the major hurdle preventing long-term success in lung transplantation, and is the primary reason for the 50% 5-year survival. Recipient and perioperative risk factors have been investigated in BOS, but less is known about donor factors. Therefore, we investigated what donor factors are important in the development of BOS.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective review of the United Network for Organ Sharing lung transplant database from 1987 to 2008. Lung transplant recipients had yearly follow-up. Donor factors were evaluated for their influence on BOS development. Kaplan-Meier plots of BOS-free survival were compared for each donor factor and a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model for BOS was created with donor factors.


RESULTS
A total of 17,222 lung transplant recipients were identified; 6,991 recipients had sufficient follow-up BOS data. Of these recipients 57% (n = 3,984) developed BOS within 5 years. Recipients who received lungs from donors who were younger, without an active pulmonary infection, or those without current tobacco use had longer BOS-free survival. Recipients who received lungs with higher partial pressures of oxygen in arterial blood (Pao(2)) developed more BOS (p < 0.0001). Donor high Pao(2), older age, and current tobacco use were independent predictors of BOS in lung transplant recipients.


CONCLUSIONS
Donor factors and donor management strategies are important contributors to development of recipient BOS. Identification of these factors may help limit BOS and may identify recipients at high risk. Surprisingly, high Pao(2) in the donor is an independent predictor of BOS development.
Hennessy
Sara A
SA
Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
Hranjec
Tjasa
T
Swenson
Brian R
BR
Kozower
Benjamin D
BD
Jones
David R
DR
Ailawadi
Gorav
G
Kron
Irving L
IL
Lau
Christine L
CL
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001989:Bronchiolitis Obliterans / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011336:Probability; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D014019:Tissue Donors