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. · Oct 2007
Primary graft dysfunction and long-term pulmonary function after lung transplantation.
Severe primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is associated with poor early outcomes after lung transplantation (LTx). Less is known about lingering effects of severe PGD on pulmonary function. The study's aim was to determine whether development of severe primary graft dysfunction in the perioperative period was associated with reduced long term rates of survival or with diminished long term pulmonary function. ⋯ Development of Grade 3 PGD in the early post-operative period negatively affects long-term survival, BOS-free survival and pulmonary function of bilateral lung transplant recipients who survive the peri-operative period.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Oct 2007
Competing outcomes after neonatal and infant wait-listing for heart transplantation.
Neonatal and infant heart transplantation is a therapeutic option for patients with end-stage cardiac lesions, yet infants continue to face a considerable shortage of donor organs. We sought to ascertain outcomes after listing for heart transplantation using a competing outcomes methodology, and to identify factors predicting each outcome. ⋯ The first 3 months after listing are critical for achieving an outcome, particularly in higher status patients, affirming the need for timely organ replacement. Strategies such as ABO-incompatible transplantation continue to decrease wait-list mortality; however, these data demonstrate that blood type O and B patients continue to face longer wait-list duration. It is imperative that we continue to seek solutions for the shortage of infant donor organs in order to maximize the utility of heart transplantation as a therapeutic option.