Lung protective ventilation based on donor size is associated with a lower risk of severe primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation

J Heart Lung Transplant. 2021 Oct;40(10):1212-1222. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2021.06.016. Epub 2021 Jul 10.

Abstract

Background: Mechanical ventilation immediately after lung transplantation may impact the development of primary graft dysfunction (PGD), particularly in cases of donor-recipient size mismatch as ventilation is typically based on recipient rather than donor size.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult bilateral lung transplant recipients at our center between January 2010 and January 2017. We defined donor-based lung protective ventilation (dLPV) as 6 to 8 ml/kg of donor ideal body weight and plateau pressure <30 cm H2O. We calculated the donor-recipient predicted total lung capacity (pTLC) ratio and used logistic regression to examine relationships between pTLC ratio, dLPV and PGD grade 3 at 48 to 72 hours. We used Cox proportional hazards modelling to examine the relationship between pTLC ratio, dLPV and 1-year survival.

Results: The cohort included 373 recipients; 24 (6.4%) developed PGD grade 3 at 48 to 72 hours, and 213 (57.3%) received dLPV. Mean pTLC ratio was 1.04 ± 0.18. dLPV was associated with significantly lower risks of PGD grade 3 (OR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.29-0.68, p < 0.001) and 1-year mortality (HR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.29-0.8, p = 0.018). There was a significant association between pTLC ratio and the risk of PGD grade 3, but this was attenuated by the use of dLPV.

Conclusions: dLPV is associated with decreased risk of PGD grade 3 at 48 to 72 hours and decreased 1-year mortality. Additionally, dLPV attenuates the association between pTLC and both PGD grade 3 and 1-year mortality. Donor-based ventilation strategies may help to mitigate the risk of PGD and other adverse outcomes associated with size mismatch after lung transplantation.

Keywords: lung transplantation; mechanical ventilation; primary graft dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Body Weight
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Lung Diseases / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases / mortality
  • Lung Diseases / surgery*
  • Lung Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organ Size
  • Primary Graft Dysfunction / diagnosis
  • Primary Graft Dysfunction / epidemiology*
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Respiration, Artificial*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate
  • Time Factors
  • Total Lung Capacity