The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Jun 2001
Early intervention after severe oxygenation index elevation improves survival following lung transplantation.
Reperfusion injury and technical problems following lung transplantation may result in life-threatening pulmonary dysfunction that requires intervention with either extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or reoperation. Early intervention in these patients could prevent complications associated with delayed or emergent intervention and may improve survival. The oxygenation index [(mean airway pressure x percent of inspired oxygen)/partial pressure of arterial oxygen] provides a rapid assessment of pulmonary function in the critical phase of reperfusion. Our hypothesis was that the oxygenation index could be used as an early predictor for severe respiratory failure requiring acute intervention. ⋯ Oxygenation index elevation > or = 30 following lung transplantation is an early predictor of severe respiratory failure requiring acute intervention. Early intervention in these patients improves survival.