Prognostic value of pre-transplant mean pulmonary arterial pressure in lung transplant recipients: a single-institution experience

Abstract

Background: Currently, lung transplantation (LTX) is considered to be a curative treatment option in patients with end-stage lung disease. Although pulmonary hypertension (PH), confirmed by cardiac catheterization, is a prognostic factor in patients undergoing LTX, the prognostic value of PH in Asian lung transplant recipients remains uncertain. In this study, we aimed to determine whether PH before LTX may serve as a prognostic factor for survival in Asian patients. Methods: The medical records of 50 patients [male, 27; female, 23; mean age, 51.0 (41.0-60.0) years], who received preoperative right heart catheterization (RHC) and echocardiography before single or double LTX at Severance Hospital between January 2010 and December 2014, were reviewed. The relationship between 1-year survival after LTX and PH [mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) >/=25 mmHg at rest] was evaluated. Results: The mean right ventricular systolic pressure and mPAP were 48.5 (22.8) and 30.0 (24.0-40.0) mmHg. Of the 50 patients, 17 (34.0%) died within a year after LTX. The 1-year survival rate among patients with mPAP >/=25 mmHg (58.8%) was lower than the survival rate among patients with mPAP <25 mmHg (87.5%). Pre-transplantation mPAP of >/=25 mmHg was associated with post-transplantation survival [hazard ratio (HR), 4.832; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.080-21.608, P=0.039]. The presence of preoperative PH was also associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Conclusions: Confirmation of PH via preoperative cardiac catheterization was associated with the prognosis of the patient after LTX. Clinicians should consider the necessity for early transplantation surgery before the mPAP reaches >/=25 mmHg.