Donor Cancer Transmission in Kidney Transplantation: A Systematic Review

Transplantation of any biological material from a donor to a host will carry some inherent risk of disease transmission. Our aims were to summarize the totality of the published evidence about donor cancer transmission among kidney transplant recipients and to determine the cancer‐specific survival of these patients. We systematically reviewed all case reports, case series and registry studies that described the outcomes of kidney transplant recipients with donor cancer transmission published to December 2012. A total of 69 studies with 104 donor‐transmitted cancer cases were identified. The most common transmitted cancer types were renal cancer (n = 20, 19%), followed by melanoma (n = 18, 17%), lymphoma (n = 15, 14%) and lung cancer (n = 9, 9%). Patients with melanoma and lung cancers had the worst prognosis, with less than 50% of recipients surviving after 24 months from transplantation. Recipients with transmitted renal cancers had the best outcomes, with over 70% of recipients surviving for at least 24 months after transplantation. Overall, the risk of donor transmission of cancer appears low, but there is a high likelihood of reporting bias. Our findings support the current recommendations for rejecting organs from donors with a history of melanoma and lung cancer, but suggest that the use of donor kidneys with a history of small, incidental renal cell cancer may be reasonable.     

Management of lung transplant recipients with bronchogenic carcinoma in the native lung.

Experience with lung transplantation for bronchogenic carcinoma is limited. In our experience, 3 of 6 patients died of recurrent carcinoma within 5 to 35 months after transplantation. Hence, we currently do not support lung transplantation for patients with pre-transplant diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma, with the exception of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) confined to the lung. Patients with BAC should be staged thoroughly with chest and abdominal computerized tomography, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and bone scan repeated every 3 months while on the waiting list, and should undergo mediastinoscopy at the time of transplantation, with a plan for a backup recipient if metastatic lymph nodes are detected. Proposal for lung transplantation for patients with bronchogenic carcinoma, with the exception of BAC, probably should be performed in the setting of a clinical trial developed with input from the lung transplant community.     

Bronchogenic carcinoma complicating lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Malignancy is a well-recognized complication of solid-organ transplantation. Although a variety of malignancies have been reported in lung transplant recipients, a paucity of information exists regarding the incidence and clinical course of bronchogenic carcinoma in this patient population. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of our lung transplant experience at the University of Pennsylvania. RESULTS: We identified 6 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma detected at the time of, or developing after, transplantation. The incidence of bronchogenic carcinoma was 2.4%. All patients with lung cancer had a history of smoking, with an average of 79 +/- 39 pack-years. A total of 5 patients had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 1 had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Lung cancers were all of non-small-cell histology and first developed in native lungs. Three patients had bronchogenic carcinoma at the time of surgery. The remaining 3 patients were diagnosed between 280 and 1,982 days post-transplantation. Of the 6 patients, 4 presented with a rapid course suggestive of an infectious process. The 1- and 2-year survival rates after diagnosis were 33% and 17%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Lung transplant recipients are at risk for harboring or developing bronchogenic carcinoma in their native lungs. Rapid progression to locally advanced or metastatic disease commonly occurs, at times mimicking an infection. Bronchogenic carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pleuroparenchymal processes involving the native lung.     

Chest size matching in single and double lung transplantation

We applied predicted vital capacity to chest size matching between donor and recipient in lung transplantation to 15 single-lung transplant recipients with pulmonary fibrosis and to 20 double-lung transplant recipients with emphysema or non-emphysema. The predicted vital capacity of the donor was significantly correlated with the predicted vital capacity of the recipient both in double-lung transplantation (r = 0.79, p = 0.001) and single-lung transplantation (r = 0.71, p = 0.003). In double-lung transplantation, the post-transplant vital capacity was correlated with the predicted vital capacity of the recipient (r = 0.74, p = 0.002). Emphysema patients and non-emphysema patients contributed equally to this correlation. In left single lung transplantation, there was a weak correlation between the post-transplant vital capacity and the predicted vital capacity of the donor in the allograft (r = 0.57, p = 0.1095). In right single lung transplantation, the post-transplant vital capacity of the allograft tended to be correlated with the predicted vital capacity of recipient (r = 0.77, p = 0.0735). We concluded that donors were actually selected based on the comparison of predicted vital capacity between donor and recipient. In double-lung transplantation, the post-transplant vital capacity was limited by the recipient’s normal thoracic volume and was not influenced by underlying pulmonary disease. In single-lung transplantation with pulmonary fibrosis, the allograft transplanted in the left chest could expand to its own size, and the allograft transplanted in the right chest could expand to the recipient’s normal thoracic volume as in double-lung transplantation.     

Chest size matching in single and double lung transplantation.

We applied predicted vital capacity to chest size matching between donor and recipient in lung transplantation to 15 single-lung transplant recipients with pulmonary fibrosis and to 20 double-lung transplant recipients with emphysema or non-emphysema. The predicted vital capacity of the donor was significantly correlated with the predicted vital capacity of the recipient both in double-lung transplantation (r = 0.79, p = 0.001) and single-lung transplantation (r = 0.71, p = 0.003). In double-lung transplantation, the post-transplant vital capacity was correlated with the predicted vital capacity of the recipient (r = 0.74, p = 0.002). Emphysema patients and non-emphysema patients contributed equally to this correlation. In left single lung transplantation, there was a weak correlation between the post-transplant vital capacity and the predicted vital capacity of the donor in the allograft (r = 0.57, p = 0.1095). In right single lung transplantation, the post-transplant vital capacity of the allograft tended to be correlated with the predicted vital capacity of recipient (r = 0.77, p = 0.0735). We concluded that donors were actually selected based on the comparison of predicted vital capacity between donor and recipient. In double-lung transplantation, the post-transplant vital capacity was limited by the recipient's normal thoracic volume and was not influenced by underlying pulmonary disease. In single-lung transplantation with pulmonary fibrosis, the allograft transplanted in the left chest could expand to its own size, and the allograft transplanted in the right chest could expand to the recipient's normal thoracic volume as in double-lung transplantation.     

Transmission of donor cancer into cardiothoracic transplant recipients

BACKGROUND: The demand for transplantable organs exceeds donor supply. Patients with central nervous system (CNS) or other tumors are controversial donors, and the donor cancer transmission rates in cardiothoracic transplant recipients have not been determined. The Israel Penn International Transplant Tumor Registry (IPITTR) was queried to define the risk of donor cancer transmission in cardiothoracic transplant recipients. METHODS: All heart, lung, or heart-lung recipients of organs from donors with a history of malignancy were reviewed. Donor and recipient demographics, histologic findings, and recurrence were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients received 17 hearts, 3 lungs, and 2 heart-lung transplants from donors with known CNS or other malignancies. No malignancy transmissions were noted with astrocytomas (n = 3) or glioblastomas (n = 1), except a medulloblastoma that recurred at 6 months. The transmission rate for CNS tumors was 17% (1 of 6), and 1- and 3-year survivals were 67% and 50%, respectively. The most common non-CNS donor cancer was renal cell carcinoma (n = 5). Two renal cell cancer transmissions occurred, both when vascular extension was present. The most aggressive tumor transmission was choriocarcinoma (n = 2) and melanoma (n = 2). Two of 3 choriocarcinomas metastasized with 67% mortality, and both melanomas were transmitted and resulted in death. Other donor cancers included angiosarcoma (n = 2), cervical (n = 1), lung (n = 1), prostate (n = 1), and a liver adenocarcinoma. The transmission rate for all non-CNS groups was 56% (9 of 16) with a 2-year survival of 40%. CONCLUSIONS: The IPITTR experience indicates that tumor transmission is high (10 of 22, 45%) in cardiothoracic transplant recipients. Similar to intra-abdominal organ recipients in the IPITTR, (1) renal cell carcinomas without capsular invasion appear safe with no transmission, (2) vascular invasion in renal cell carcinoma appears to result in early tumor transmission, and (3) melanoma and choriocarcinoma have high rates of transmission with early and almost universal death.     

Donor-recipient gender mismatch in lung transplantation: impact on obliterative bronchiolitis and survival.

BACKGROUND: Because of the shortage of donor lungs, liberalization of donor selection criteria in terms of age, gas exchange, and smoking history has been proposed. METHODS: We evaluated a single-institution population of lung transplant recipients (n = 98) for donor-recipient gender matching. We measured overall survival, time to acute allograft rejection, and time to development of obliterative bronchiolitis (OB). RESULTS: We found significant improvement in overall survival for gender-mismatched donor and recipient pairs (p = 0.078) and a significantly shorter OB-free period for male donor and female recipient pairs (p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that donor organ allocation based on gender may affect long-term survival and other outcomes after lung transplantation.     

Donor brain death mechanisms and outcomes after heart transplantation

We sought to explore whether the cause of donor brain death influenced recipient outcomes after cardiac transplantation. In retrospect, 358 consecutive donors provided cardiac allografts to adult patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation at a single urban US medical center from January 2000 through December 2005. Alternate recipients were excluded. Mechanism and cause of donor brain injury and death were divided into five categories: anoxia (nontraumatic) (n=36), blunt head trauma (n=220), penetrating head trauma (n=83), brain tumor/infection (n=7), and cerebrovascular event (n=12). The five subgroups were categorized as traumatic or nontraumatic. The end points of the study were causes of early and late mortality, survival, and rejection rate. There were 59 deaths in the 6-year period. Total and short-term recipient mortality were found to be statistically higher among heart transplant recipients when the donors suffered from traumatic brain death compared to those whose brain death etiology was nontraumatic (P=.045, P=.033, respectively). Rejection rate was similar in all groups (P=.497). In conclusion, donor traumatic brain death was found to be a valid risk factor for recipient mortality after heart transplantation. Caution should be used when evaluating such donors, particularly in the presence of other risk factors.     

Lung cancer after heart transplantation: a 17-year experience

Background

The effects of heart transplantation on lung cancer incidence in heart transplant recipients are unclear.

Methods

In an observational study, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients undergoing heart transplantation at our institution from July 1982 to July 1999. Data on lung cancer incidence, risk factors, treatment, and outcome were collected.

Results

Five hundred seventy-two patients (mean age, 50 ± 11 years; range, 18 to 73) were considered at risk for lung cancer. Of these, 324 (57%) had a more than 20 pack-year history of smoking before transplantation. Lung cancer developed in 2 patients 1 year or less after transplantation and in 8 patients more than 1 year after transplantation (incidence, 2.2 per 1,000 patients per year of follow-up). Non-small cell lung cancer was diagnosed in all cases. Median survival was 10.8 months (range, 2 to 37.5). Routine annual chest radiographs after transplantation enabled early diagnosis in 5 cases (stages Ia and IIa), which correlated with better mean survival (28.1 months [range, 19 to 37.5] versus 5.1 months [range, 2 to 10.8]; p = 0.0002).

Conclusions

The incidence of lung cancer in our population of heart transplant recipients appears to be no higher than in nontransplant populations with similar risk factors (ie, smoking and age). Routine radiographic imaging of transplant recipients may allow earlier detection of lung cancer and thus offer a survival benefit.     

Experimental study of oversized grafts in a canine living-donor lobar lung transplantation model

BACKGROUND: For infants and small children, organ transplantation is limited by the size discrepancy between donor and recipient. To address this problem, the use of over-sized grafts from living-relative donors could potentially expand the donor pool. The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the effect of oversized grafts on early pulmonary function and to identify an indicator for acceptable size discrepancy. METHODS: Fourteen bilateral lobar lung allotransplant operations were performed without cardiopulmonary bypass in weight mismatched pairs of dogs. Animals were divided into 2 groups: Group I (n = 7), donor/recipient lung volume ratio < 2.85; Group II (n = 7), donor/recipient lung volume ratio >2.85. Pulmonary function of the recipient was measured before chest closure, after chest closure, and after the ventilator was removed. RESULTS: Pulmonary vascular resistance and airway pressure significantly increased in Group II after chest closure (1493 +/- 195 dynes sec cm(-5) and 14.4 +/- 0.9 mm Hg vs 2784 +/- 140 dynes sec cm(-5) and 23.4 +/- 1.2 mm Hg, p < 0.001). After the ventilator was removed, all recipients in Group I showed PaO2 > 239 mm Hg and PaCO2 < 76 mm Hg, whereas, all recipients in Group II showed PaO2 < 116 mm Hg and PaCO2 > 169 mm Hg. The donor/recipient chest circumference ratio was less than 1.3 in all but 1 dog in Group I. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptable, oversized grafts provide adequate pulmonary function, although excessively oversized grafts cause significant impairment in pulmonary function after chest closure. Chest circumference provides useful size-match criteria when oversized grafts are used in this canine experimental model.     

The use of liver grafts from donors with bacterial meningitis

BACKGROUND: The shortage of suitable donors for transplantation is a worldwide problem. The use of cadaveric donors with bacterial meningitis may be associated with an increased risk of sepsis. We report the results of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) from 33 such donors between 1989 and 1999. METHODS: The hospital records of recipients from cadaveric donors with meningitis (study group) were retrospectively reviewed and compared with matched recipients from cadaveric donors dying from causes other than meningitis (recipient-matched control group). RESULTS: A total of 34 recipients underwent 21 whole, 10 reduced, and 3 split liver transplants from 33 cadaveric donor livers with bacterial meningitis. The donor meningitis pathogens were Neisseria meningitidis (n=14), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n=4), Haemophilus influenzae (n=1), Streptococcus species (n=2), and unknown (n=12). Twenty-seven patients had an elective OLT and seven patients had an emergency OLT. Adequate antimicrobial therapy before organ procurement and after transplant was administrated. The mean posttransplant follow-up was 37 months (range: 1 day-106 months). There was no difference in recipient and graft survival rates between the study and the recipient-matched groups. In the study group, there were no infectious complications caused by the meningeal pathogens. Overall patient survival rates were 79%, 76%, 72%, and 72% at 1, 6, 12, and 60 months, respectively. Graft survival was 77%, 70%, 65%, and 65% at 1, 6, 12, and 60 months, respectively. The survival rate in elective cases was significantly better than emergency cases (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation from donors with bacterial meningitis is a safe procedure provided both donors and recipients receive adequate antimicrobial therapy.     

Transplantation of liver and kidney from donors with malignancy at the time of donation: an experience from a single centre

Transplantation of organs from donors with malignancy poses clinical and ethical questions regarding outcome, informed consent, immunosuppression and follow‐up. We review our experience of kidney and liver transplantation from such donors. Our database was complemented by data from National Health Service Blood and Transplant. All patients who received a renal or liver transplant in our institution between April 2003 and January 2014 were included. About 2546 liver and kidney transplants were performed: 71 recipients received 53 kidney and 18 liver transplants. These included 51 (36 kidney, 15 liver) CNS malignancy, and six kidneys, three ipsilateral and three contralateral with RCC. One kidney recipient developed donor‐transmitted lung cancer in the transplant kidney, and one liver transplant recipient developed donor‐transmitted lymphoma; both subsequently died. Seven recipients developed donor‐unrelated cancer. No recipient developed cancer, whereas the donor had a CNS or RCC. The 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year patient survival was 96%, 93.3% and 75%, respectively, for kidneys and 83.3%, 75% and 50%, respectively, for liver. Where donor malignancy was known and assessed before transplantation, judicious use of kidney and liver for transplant achieved satisfactory outcome. The risk of transmission from donors with CNS and low‐grade renal malignancy remains extremely low.     

Kidney Transplantation in Previous Heart or Lung Recipients

Outcomes after heart and lung transplants have improved, and many recipients survive long enough to develop secondary renal failure, yet remain healthy enough to undergo kidney transplantation. We used national data reported to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to evaluate outcomes of 568 kidney after heart (KAH) and 210 kidney after lung (KAL) transplants performed between 1995 and 2008. Median time to kidney transplant was 100.3 months after heart, and 90.2 months after lung transplant. Renal failure was attributed to calcineurin inhibitor toxicity in most patients. Outcomes were compared with primary kidney recipients using matched controls (MC) to account for donor, recipient and graft characteristics. Although 5-year renal graft survival was lower than primary kidney recipients (61% KAH vs. 73.8% MC, p < 0.001; 62.6% KAL vs. 82.9% MC, p < 0.001), death-censored graft survival was comparable (84.9% KAH vs. 88.2% MC, p = 0.1; 87.6% KAL vs. 91.8% MC, p = 0.6). Furthermore, renal transplantation reduced the risk of death compared with dialysis by 43% for KAH and 54% for KAL recipients. Our findings that renal grafts function well and provide survival benefit in KAH and KAL recipients, but are limited in longevity by the general life expectancy of these recipients, might help inform clinical decision-making and allocation in this population.     

CD4-veCD8-ve CD30+ve T cells are detectable in human lung transplant patients and their proportion of the lymphocyte population after in vitro stimulation with donor spleen cells correlates with preservation of lung physiology

INTRODUCTION: Survival following lung transplantation is less than 50% at 5 years, mainly due to immune-mediated chronic rejection. Recently a novel subset of T cells, CD4-veCD8-ve CD30+ve, so-called double negative (DN) CD30+ve T cells, has been described and shown to be responsible for tolerance in an animal model of skin transplantation. METHODS: We investigated 18 lung transplant recipients for the presence of DN CD30+ve T cells in resting peripheral blood and also following in vitro stimulation of recipient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with donor spleen cells. RESULTS: Small percentages (0.2% to 6%) of DN T cells are detectable in resting PBMCs of human transplant patients (n = 18), but these did not correlate with allograft function, acute rejection episodes, HLA mismatch, or CMV status. On repeated stimulation of recipient PBMCs (two exposures) in vitro by donor spleen cells (2:1 ratio stimulators to responders) the percentage of DN CD30+ve T cells within the lymphocyte pool correlated with preservation of allograft lung function (both for FEV(1), P = .009, and FEF(25-75), P = .036) and was inversely correlated with grade of chronic rejection. On repeated exposure of recipient PBMCs to donor spleen cells with a 1:1 ratio the percentage of DN CD30+ve T cells correlated with the number of acute rejection episodes of grade 2 or greater. The total number of HLA mismatches correlated with the percentage DN CD30+ve T cells present after primary stimulation of recipient PBMCs with donor spleen cells (1:1 ratio). The number of mismatches at the B locus inversely correlated with the percentage of DN CD30+ve T cells after primary stimulation of recipient PBMCs with donor spleen cells (1:1 ratio; P = .031, n = 18). CONCLUSION: Percentages of DN CD30+ve T cells present following repeated stimulation of recipient PBMCs by donor spleen cells correlated with preservation of graft function following lung transplantation.     

Cytomegalovirus antibody status of donor/recipient does not influence the incidence of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported that prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection does not influence the incidence of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) at 2 years. The effect of CMV infection (without evidence of disease) on BOS is still not well understood. Moreover, the incidence and risk factors for development of BOS in CMV-antibody-negative donor/recipient matches in lung transplantation have not been described. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of BOS in lung transplant patients with CMV-antibody-negative (-) donors (D) and recipients (R), and to evaluate the risk factors that predispose to BOS in this sub-group. METHOD: A retrospective study of data from the transplant database of our center was performed. All single-lung (SL), double-lung (DL) and heart-lung block (HL) transplant patients who survived >2 years post-transplant were included in the study group. They were grouped as follows: D(-)/R(-), n = 102; D(-)/R(+), n = 70; D(+)/R(-), n = 33, and D(+)/R(+), n = 92. RESULTS: The 3-year BOS-free survival rates were 65%, 56%, 58% and 67%, respectively, and the incidence rates of BOS at 5 years post-transplant in the different groups were 57%, 62%, 78% and 55% (p > 0.05). In the D(-)/R(-) group, the significant risk factor for developing BOS was three or more episodes of acute rejection (p = 0.02). The mean numbers of acute rejection episodes per 100 patients-days within the first 6 months were 1.28, 1.06, 0.50 and 1.11 (p < 0.001 overall) for the four groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although CMV is believed to be a risk factor for BOS, its absence did not affect the occurrence or incidence of BOS in lung transplant patients. The main risk factor for BOS in the CMV-antibody-negative population remains the number of acute rejection episodes within the first 6 months after transplantation.     

Transmission of a pancreatic adenocarcinoma to a renal transplant recipient

Transmission of donor tumours in solid organ transplant recipients is rare, but has been reported with fatal outcome in some cases depending on the original tumour type and location. We report a case of a pancreatic adenocarcinoma of donor origin presented as lymphangitis carcinomatosa of the lung in a renal transplant recipient 9 months after transplantation, which is likely to have contributed to the death of the patient 15 months after transplantation. The donor tumour was originally diagnosed on adrenal tissue removed from the donor kidney during bench preparation. At the time of the diagnosis this kidney and the liver of the multi-organ donor had been transplanted. The liver patient was urgently retransplanted within 24 h. The renal recipient opted not to have a transplant nephrectomy having been made aware of the risk of tumour transmission. The contralateral kidney was discarded. Management of recipients with potential transmission of initially undiagnosed donor malignancy is difficult. Early transplant nephrectomy may be the safest option.     

Donor hypo‐ and hypernatremia are predictors for increased 1‐year mortality after cardiac transplantation

Donor hypernatremia is known to be associated with initial graft dysfunction in liver transplantation. Controversial data exist regarding the impact of sodium dysregulation on patient survival after heart transplantation (HTX). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of donor sodium levels on survival in a large cohort of heart transplant recipients from the Eurotransplant registry. From 1997 to 2005, all consecutive adult HTX performed in the Eurotransplant region were included into this study (n = 4641 patients). Multivariate analysis was applied to investigate possible clinical predictors for 1‐year post‐transplant survival after cardiac transplantation (donor sodium levels, donor age, donor cause of death, recipient age, primary disease, urgency status, cold ischemia time). In multivariate analysis, recipients receiving a donor heart with serum sodium level lower than 130 mmol/l or higher than 170 mmol/l had a 1.25‐fold higher risk for 1‐year post‐transplant mortality than patients with normal donor sodium ranges (P = 0.007). Other independent risk factors for impaired 1‐year survival were recipient age, the indication for transplantation and the urgency status of the recipient. Our study demonstrates that hyponatremia as well as hypernatremia show a strong U‐shaped correlation with poor survival after cardiac transplantation. Accurate donor management to avoid electrolyte disorder seems to be crucial for ensuring good quality of donor hearts.     

High body mass index and short- and long-term renal allograft survival in adults

BACKGROUND: The effect of recipient obesity on kidney allograft survival remains enigmatic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of donor and recipient body mass index on graft survival. METHODS: Retrospective study of 193 consecutive, adult renal transplants, with at least six months follow-up (mean 24+/-14.1 months). Patients were divided into two groups based upon body mass index (BMI), [weight (kg)/height (m)]: normal (<30.0, n=137) and obese (> or =30.0, n=56). Endpoints were graft loss, defined as either total loss of graft function (return to dialysis) or patient death with a functional graft. Unadjusted and adjusted multivariate analysis techniques, including Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression were used. RESULTS.: Individuals with a BMI > or =30 were not more likely to experience graft loss (O.R. 0.93, 95% C.I. 0.50, 1.72). Rates of acute rejection were not increased in obese recipients. While mortality was not increased in the BMI > 30 group, morbidity, especially surgical, had an increased incidence. The ratio of recipient to donor BMI did not influence graft survival. CONCLUSION: Obese recipients (BMI > or =30.0) were not at increased risk for graft failure. Additionally, matching donor and recipient BMI's would not appear to substantially improve transplant outcome. Obese recipients do have increased posttransplant morbidity and risk all the known health consequences associated with obesity. Careful evaluation and clinical management of obese patients allows for successful kidney transplantation with results equivalent to normal BMI patients.     

Liberalization of donor criteria in lung transplantation

Donor shortage remains a major obstacle to widespread application of lung transplantation. In region 5, including California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona, the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) database median waiting time for lung transplant candidates in 2000-2001 exceeded 17 months. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of liberalization of donor criteria on median waiting time and short-term outcome of lung transplantation. From September 1999 to October 2002, 42 patients underwent lung transplantation from nonstandard donors. The donors were classified as nonstandard due to (1) infiltrate on chest radiograph (n = 33), (2) PaO2 < 300 on FiO2 1.0 and PEEP 5 (n = 3), (3) PaO2 < 100 on FiO2 0.4 and PEEP 5 (n = 3), (4) purulent sputum on bronchoscopy (n = 22), and (5) smoking history greater than 50 pack-years (n = 1). Perioperative characteristics and short-term outcome of this group was analyzed. The median waiting time for this cohort was 114 days (range, 10-1267), as compared with the national UNOS database median waiting time of 24 months between 1996 and 2001. The incidence of ischemia reperfusion injury was 2.3 per cent. None of the recipients developed pneumonia. The median ventilator support time was 2 days (range, 1-95). The median ICU stay and hospital stay were 4 days (range, 2-103) and 14 days (range, 5-194), respectively. The 3-month survival was 97.6 per cent. Selective liberalization of donor lung criteria can decrease the waiting time and is associated with favorable short-term outcome. Utilization of nonstandard lungs can expand the donor pool.     

Early airway dehiscence: Risk factors and outcomes with the rising incidence of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to lung transplantation

Background: Anastomotic complications occur in 7% to 18% of lung transplant recipients, among which airway dehiscence (AD) is particularly catastrophic. Using multi‐institutional registry data, this study compared preoperative recipient/donor risk factors and outcomes in patients with and without AD and analyzed the effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on the incidence of AD. Methods: Data on adult lung transplants from 2007 to 2017 were provided by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. Patients receiving isolated lobar transplantation and patients with unknown AD status were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression identified independent risk factors for AD. Kaplan‐Meier curves and log‐rank tests describe mortality and graft survival. Results: Of 18 122 lung transplants, 275 (1.5%) experienced AD. While the incidence of ECMO steadily increased from 0.7% to 5.9% over the study period, the incidence of AD remained relatively constant. Multivariable analysis revealed recipient male gender and prolonged ( > 48 hours) posttransplant mechanical ventilation as independent predictive factors for AD, while advanced donor age and single left lung transplant were protective factors. Recipient chronic steroid use, recipient diabetes, donor diabetes, and donor smoking history were not predictive of AD. Mortality and graft failure were significantly worse in the AD group. Conclusions: Despite increased ECMO utilization, the incidence of AD has remained stable. Multiple independent risk factors for AD were identified and poor postoperative outcomes confirmed. However, many known impediments to wound healing such as recipient chronic steroid use, recipient and donor diabetes, and donor smoking were not identified as risk factors for AD, reinforcing the critical role of technical performance.