Association Between the Pulmonary Artery Pulsatility Index and Prognosis in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Multicentre Study.

Background: Risk stratification is fundamental in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi), defined as pulmonary arterial pulse pressure divided by right atrial pressure (RAP), is a hemodynamic index shown to predict acute right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in several settings. Our objective was to test the prognostic utility of PAPi in a diverse multicentre cohort of patients with PAH. Methods: A multicentre retrospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients with a new diagnosis of PAH on right heart catheterization between January 2016 and December 2020 was undertaken across 4 major centres in Canada. Hemodynamic data, clinical data, and outcomes were collected. The association of PAPi and other hemodynamic variables with mortality was assessed by receiver-operating characteristic curves and Cox proportional hazards modeling. Results: We identified 590 patients with a mean age of 61.4 ± 15.5 years, with 66.3% being female. A low PAPi (defined as < 5.3) was associated with higher mortality at 1 year: 10.2% vs 5.2% (P = 0.02). In a multivariable model including age, sex, body mass index, and functional class, a low PAPi was associated with mortality at 1 year (area under the curveof 0.64 (95% confidence interval 0.55-0.74). However, high RAP (> 8 mm Hg) was similarly predictive of mortality, with an area under the curve of 0.65. Conclusion: PAPi was associated with mortality in a large incident PAH cohort. However, the discriminative value of PAPi was not higher than that of RAP alone.

Contexte: La stratification des risques est fondamentale dans la prise en charge de l'hypertension artérielle pulmonaire (HTAP). L'indice de pulsatilité des artères pulmonaires (iPAP), défini comme la pression différentielle dans les artères pulmonaires divisée par la pression auriculaire droite (PAD), est un indice hémodynamique qui s'est révélé prédictif d'une dysfonction ventriculaire droite (VD) aiguë dans plusieurs situations. Notre objectif était d'évaluer l'utilité pronostique de l'iPAP dans une cohorte multicentrique diversifiée de patients atteints d'HTAP. Méthodologie: Une étude de cohorte multicentrique rétrospective de patients adultes consécutifs atteints d'une HTAP nouvellement diagnostiquée par cathétérisme cardiaque droit entre janvier 2016 et décembre 2020 a été effectuée dans quatre grands centres au Canada. Les données hémodynamiques, les données cliniques et les résultats ont été recueillis. La corrélation de l'iPAP et d'autres va-riables hémodynamiques avec la mortalité a été évaluée par les courbes caractéristiques opérationnelles du receveur et des modèles à risques proportionnels de Cox. Résultats: Nous avons recensé 590 patients dont l'âge moyen était de 61,4 ± 15,5 ans; la proportion de femmes était de 66,3 %. Un faible iPAP (défini comme une valeur < 5,3) a été associé à une hausse de la mortalité à 1 an : 10,2 % contre 5,2 % (p= 0,02). Dans un modèle multivarié comprenant l'âge, le sexe, l'indice de masse corporelle et la classe fonctionnelle, un faible iPAP a été associé à la mortalité à 1 an (aire sous la courbe de 0,64 [intervalle de confiance à 95 %; de 0,55 à 0,74]). Cependant, une PAD élevée (> 8 mmHg) a aussi été un facteur prédictif de mortalité, l'aire sous la courbe étant de 0,65. Conclusions: L'iPAP a été associé à la mortalité dans une vaste cohorte de patients atteints d'une HTAP. Toutefois, la valeur discriminante de l'iPAP n'a pas été supérieure à celle de la PAD seule.

Baseline lung allograft dysfunction in primary graft dysfunction survivors after lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation has previously been associated with increased risk of death and chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), but the relationship to baseline lung allograft dysfunction (BLAD), where graft function fails to normalize, is not known. METHODS: We reviewed all double lung transplant recipients transplanted in our program 2004-2016. We defined PGD and CLAD as per recent consensus definitions and BLAD as failure to achieve both FEV1 and FVC ≥80% predicted on 2 consecutive tests ≥3 weeks apart. We used logistic and proportional hazards regression to test the association between severe high-grade PGD (PGD3) with BLAD and CLAD respectively, adjusting for known and identified confounders. RESULTS: 446 patients met inclusion criteria and 76 (17%) developed PGD3 at 48- or 72-h post-transplant. PGD3 occurred more frequently in patients with interstitial lung disease or pulmonary vascular disease, those with higher BMIs and recipients of older donors. PGD3 was associated with more frequent (58% vs. 36%; p = 0.0008) and more severe BLAD (p < 0.0001) and increased BLAD risk in an adjusted model (OR 2.00 [95% CI 1.13-3.60]; p = 0.0182). PGD3 was not associated with CLAD frequency, severity or time to CLAD onset in an adjusted model (HR 1.10 (95% CI 0.64-1.78), p = 0.7226). CONCLUSION: Severe PGD was associated with increased risk and severity of BLAD but not CLAD. The mechanisms via which PGD may mediate baseline function warrant further investigation.

Atelectasis in primary graft dysfunction survivors after lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is an important contributor to early mortality in lung transplant recipients and is associated with impaired lung function. The radiographic sequelae of PGD on computed tomography (CT) have not been characterized. METHODS: We studied adult double lung transplant recipients from 2010 to 2016 for whom protocol 3-month post-transplant CT scans were available. We assessed CTs for changes including pleural effusions, ground glass opacification, atelectasis, centrilobular nodularity, consolidation, interlobular septal thickening, air trapping and fibrosis, and their relationship to prior post-transplant PGD, future lung function, post-transplant baseline lung allograft dysfunction (BLAD), and chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). RESULTS: Of 237 patients studied, 50 (21%) developed grade 3 PGD (PGD3) at 48 or 72 h. PGD3 was associated with increased interlobular septal thickening (p = .0389) and atelectasis (p = .0001) at 3 months, but only atelectasis remained associated after correction for multiple testing. Atelectasis severity was associated with lower peak forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and increased risk of BLAD (p = .0014) but not with future CLAD onset (p = .7789). CONCLUSIONS: Severe PGD was associated with atelectasis on 3-month post-transplant CT in our cohort. Atelectasis on routine CT may be an intermediary identifiable stage between PGD and future poor lung function.

Chest X-ray Sizing for Lung Transplants Reflects Pulmonary Diagnosis and Body Composition and Is Associated With Primary Graft Dysfunction Risk.

BACKGROUND: Donor-recipient oversizing based on predicted total lung capacity (pTLC) is associated with a reduced risk of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) following lung transplant but the effect varies with the recipient's diagnosis. Chest x-ray (CXR) measurements to estimate actual total lung capacity (TLC) could account for disease-related lung volume changes, but their role in size matching is unknown. METHODS: We reviewed adult double lung transplant recipients 2007-2016 and measured apex-to-costophrenic-angle distance (=lung height) on pretransplant donor and recipient CXRs (oversized donor-recipient ratio >1; undersized ≤1]. We tested the relationship between recipient lung height to actual TLC; between lung height ratio and donor/recipient characteristics; and between both lung height ratio or pTLC ratio and grade 3 PGD with logistic regression. RESULTS: Two hundred six patients were included and 32 (16%) developed grade 3 PGD at 48 or 72 hours. Recipient lung height was related to TLC (r2=0.7297). Pulmonary diagnosis, donor BMI, and recipient BMI were the major determinants of lung height ratio (AUC 0.9036). Lung height ratio oversizing was associated with increased risk of grade 3 PGD (odds ratio, 2.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-5.47; P = 0.0182) in this cohort, while pTLC ratio oversizing was not. CONCLUSIONS: CXR lung height estimates actual TLC and reflects pulmonary diagnosis and body composition. Oversizing via CXR lung height ratio increased PGD risk moreso than pTLC-based oversizing in our cohort.

Azithromycin prophylaxis after lung transplantation is associated with improved overall survival.

BACKGROUND: Azithromycin prophylaxis (AP) in lung transplant recipients has been shown to reduce the composite end-point of death or chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) onset but without a clear effect on overall survival. Our program began using AP in 2010. We sought to evaluate the association between AP and survival and the risk of CLAD and baseline lung allograft dysfunction (BLAD). METHODS: We studied double lung recipients transplanted between 2004 and 2016. We defined AP as chronic use of azithromycin initiated before CLAD onset. We analyzed the association between AP and death or retransplant using Cox regression with adjustment for potential confounders. We further used Cox and logistic models to assess the relationship between AP and post-transplant CLAD onset and BLAD, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 445 patients were included, and 344 (77%) received AP (median time from transplant: 51 days). Patients receiving AP were more likely to receive induction with interleukin-2 receptor antagonists (57% vs 35%; p < 0.001). AP was associated with improved survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.42-0.82; p = 0.0020) in our fully adjusted model, with a reduced adjusted risk of BLAD (odds ratio: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.33-0.85; p = 0.0460) but no clear reduction in the adjusted risk of CLAD (HR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.47-1.03; p = 0.0697). CONCLUSIONS: AP is associated with improved survival after lung transplantation, potentially through improved baseline function. These findings build on prior trial results and suggest that AP is beneficial for lung transplant recipients.

Pretransplant Opioid Use and Survival After Lung Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The impact of opioid use in lung transplant candidates on posttransplant outcomes is unknown. Studies on opioid therapy in kidney and liver transplant candidates have suggested increased risk of graft failure or death. We sought to analyze the relationship between pretransplant opioid use in lung transplant candidates and retransplant-free survival. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed adult patients transplanted consecutively between November 2004 and August 2015. The exposure was any opioid use at time of transplant listing and primary outcome was retransplant-free survival, analyzed via Cox regression model adjusted for recipient age, gender, ethnicity, diagnosis, and bridging status. Secondary outcomes included duration of ventilation, intensive care unit and hospital length of stay, 3-month and 1-year survival, continuing opioid use at 1 year, and time to onset of chronic lung allograft dysfunction. RESULTS: The prevalence of opioid use at time of listing was 14% (61/425). Median daily oral morphine equivalent dose was 31 mg (18-54). Recipient ethnicity was associated with pretransplant opioid use. Opioid use at time of listing did not increase risk of death or retransplantation in an adjusted model (hazard ratio 1.12 [95% confidence interval 0.65-1.83], P = 0.6570). Secondary outcomes were similar between groups except hospital length of stay (opioid users 35 versus nonusers 27 d, P = 0.014). Continued opioid use at 1-year posttransplant was common (27/56, 48%). CONCLUSIONS: Pretransplant opioid use was not associated with retransplant-free survival in our cohort and should not necessarily preclude listing. Further work stratifying opioid use by indication and the association with opioid use disorder would be worthwhile.

Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Thoracic Society Position Statement on Pulmonary Hypertension.

The landscape of pulmonary hypertension (PH) has changed significantly since the last Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Thoracic Society position statement in 2005. Since then, advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of PH and improvements in diagnostic and therapeutic options have transformed the care of patients with PH. Globally, PH has an estimated prevalence of 1%, increasing to 10% in those aged 65 years and older, most commonly due to left heart or lung disease. Although pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is less common, the morbidity and mortality is significant and early diagnosis and treatment are essential. This document is targeted at clinicians and describes a framework for screening and diagnosis of PH, with recommendations for performance and interpretation of echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and right heart catheterization. In addition, the current approach to PAH management in Canada including risk stratification and pharmacologic therapy aimed at achieving a low-risk profile is discussed. The rationale to avoid specific PAH therapy in patients with left heart disease and lung disease-related PH is emphasized, along with special considerations for the diagnosis and management of chronic thromboembolic PH. Future advancements in the identification of novel pathways and therapies, personalized approaches to direct therapy, as well as interventional approaches such as balloon pulmonary angioplasty for chronic thromboembolic PH promise to continue the rapid evolution of this field.

Impact of saline loading at cardiac catheterization on the classification and management of patients evaluated for pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The extent to which saline loading (SL) during cardiac catheterization influences clinical practice in pulmonary hypertension (PH) is unknown. We surveyed a national cohort of PH specialists to determine how SL affected diagnosis and management. METHODS: Relevant clinical and hemodynamic data pre-SL for patients with a baseline pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP) ≤15 mm Hg were presented as surveys to 7 PH specialists. The specialists were asked to classify patients according to the WHO classification scheme, rate their confidence, and state their treatment plans. Hemodynamic data following 500 mL of SL was then presented, and specialists answered the same questions. A positive fluid challenge (PFC) was defined as PAWP >18 mm Hg after SL. RESULTS: Seven specialists evaluated 48 cases, for a total of 336 surveys. SL influenced PH classification with 19.6% of cases reclassified as having a component of Group 2 PH. SL increased confidence in PH classification (mean difference 0.25; 95% CI 0.15-0.35). With a PFC, physicians were more likely to classify patients as PH due to left heart disease (OR 6.1; 95% CI 2.8-13.1), extend time to follow-up (OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.6-6.7), and discharge patients from PH clinic (OR 5.0; 95% CI 1.9-13.1). SL changed the treatment plan in 6.5% of cases, mostly with a PFC causing reconsideration in treatment initiation. CONCLUSION: The addition of SL to hemodynamic assessment of PH can impact physicians' classification and management decisions. However, decisions are not solely based on the SL results, but rather the entirety of the clinical data available.

High incidence of clinically significant cytomegalovirus infection in CMV D+/R+ lung transplant recipients receiving 3 months of antiviral prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Universal antiviral prophylaxis is the preferred preventive strategy for lung transplant recipients (LTRs) at risk of CMV infection. We compared the risk of CMV infection between CMV D+/R + and D-/R + LTRs after 3 months of prophylaxis. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of CMV R + LTRs transplanted between 2005 and 2013. Patients dying before completing 3 months, or receiving >180 days of prophylaxis were excluded. The primary outcome was proportion of LTRs who developed CMV infection and clinically significant CMV infection defined as CMV infection leading to preemptive therapy or CMV disease. RESULTS: We analyzed 90 D+/R + and 72 D-/R + with a median follow up of 730 days. CMV infection and disease was more common in D+/R + compared to D-/R+ (CMV infection 66% vs 40%; P = 0.001; CMV disease 13% vs 4% P = 0.045). Fifty-nine patients developed at least one episode of clinically significant CMV infection (41/90 [46%] D+/R + and 18/72 [25%] D-/R + P=0.007) with recurrence occurring in 29 LTRs (49% of patients with previous CMV infection), of which 22 (76%) were CMV D+/R+. Thirty percent had side effects related to CMV therapy. CONCLUSION: Three months prophylaxis in D+/R + LTRs was associated with high rates of clinically significant CMV infection and recurrences.

Elevated pre-transplant left ventricular end-diastolic pressure increases primary graft dysfunction risk in double lung transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) represents ischemia‒reperfusion injury in the lung allograft, and elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) may contribute to capillary leak. We tested whether pre-transplant LVEDP or pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (mPCWP) are related to PGD risk. We hypothesized that elevated LVEDP and mPCWP would increase PGD risk. METHODS: We reviewed adult double lung transplant recipients at the University of Alberta Hospital from 2004 to 2016 with pre-transplant LVEDP measurements. The primary outcome was Grade 3 PGD at 48 to 72 hours post-transplant. We used regression analysis to assess the association between LVEDP and mPCWP with Grade 3 PGD risk, as well as agreement between these measurements. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty double lung transplant recipients were included in the study, and 63 (19%) developed Grade 3 PGD at 48 or 72 hours. Mean LVEDP was 16 ± 7 mm Hg in the Grade 3 PGD group and 12 ± 5 mm Hg in the non-PGD group (p < 0.0001). LVEDP >15 mm Hg was associated with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 3.83 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.90 to 7.73, p < 0.0001), whereas mPCWP >15 mm Hg showed similar findings (adjusted OR 4.25 [1.83 to 9.86], p = 0.0008). Correlation and agreement between LVEDP and mPCWP were fair. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated pre-transplant LVEDP increases the risk of severe PGD after lung transplant, as does elevated mPCWP. These measurements appear to be complementary as markers of prospective PGD risk.

Coronary Artery Disease and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting at the Time of Lung Transplantation Do Not Impact Overall Survival.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is common in lung transplant candidates and may require revascularization before or at the time of their transplant. We reviewed the survival of lung transplant recipients with CAD requiring surgical intervention (CAD-coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG]) and those who did not (CAD-NoCABG) at the time of transplant, compared to a cohort with no CAD (NoCAD). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients transplanted in our program between 2004 and 2013. Our primary outcome was the association between 3-way CAD status (CAD-CABG, CAD-NoCABG, NoCAD) and overall retransplant-free survival via proportional hazards modeling, adjusting for age, gender, and transplant indication. Secondary endpoints included 1-year survival, survival by Kaplan-Meier analysis, duration of ventilation, intensive care unit stay, and hospitalization. RESULTS: A total of 333 patients underwent transplant during the study timeframe. A total of 24 (7%) had CAD requiring CABG, 82 (25%) had CAD not requiring CABG, and the remaining 227 had no CAD. The 3-way CAD status was not associated with overall retransplant-free survival after adjustment for age, gender, and transplant indication. Duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay and hospitalization were longer in both CAD groups compared with the NoCAD group. CONCLUSIONS: CAD status does not impact overall retransplant-free survival, despite greater perioperative complexity. Prospective studies comparing treatment strategies in these patient groups are warranted.

Baseline lung allograft dysfunction is associated with impaired survival after double-lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic value of defining normal vs abnormal baseline post-transplant lung function (or baseline lung allograft dysfunction [BLAD]) has not been studied using standardized reference values of percent predicted of the population. Our aim was to assess the association between BLAD and survival in double-lung transplant recipients and assess for potential pre-transplant donor and recipient risk factors for BLAD. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of double-lung transplant recipients in our program during the period 2004 to 2009. We defined normal baseline function as both forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥80% predicted on at least 2 consecutive tests ≥3 weeks apart; we defined BLAD as failure to meet these criteria. We used a Cox regression model to assess the association between BLAD and survival. We used logistic regression to assess potential pre-transplant donor and recipient factors associated with BLAD. RESULTS: Of 178 patients double-lung transplant recipients eligible for study, 75 (42%) met the criteria for BLAD. BLAD was associated with impaired survival (hazard ratio [HR] 2.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41 to 3.54]) via Cox regression compared to patients with normal baseline, and lower baseline was associated with greater risk of death in a dose-dependent fashion. Pre-transplant factors associated with BLAD included interstitial lung disease (ILD) as an indication for transplant (odds ratio [OR] 2.66, 95% CI 1.17 to 6.15) and heavy donor smoking history (OR 3.07, 95% CI 1.17 to 8.43). CONCLUSIONS: BLAD is dynamic risk state associated with impaired survival after double-lung transplantation, and should be considered when physiologically phenotyping patients.

Mechanical Circulatory Support as a Bridge to Lung Transplantation: A Single Canadian Institution Review.

BACKGROUND: Lung transplant (LTx) waitlists continue to grow internationally. Consequently, more patients are progressing to require mechanical circulatory support (MCS) as a bridge to transplantation (BTT). MCS strategies include interventional lung assist (iLA) and venovenous (VV) and venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We review our series of patients bridged with MCS while listed for LTx. METHODS: All consecutive patients, listed for LTx requiring MCS as a BTT at the University of Alberta from 2004 to 2015, were included. Patient demographics and outcomes were compared for the 3 groups (iLA, VV-ECMO, and VA-ECMO). RESULTS: Of the 24 patients supported with MCS devices, 17 were successfully transplanted and 7 died waiting. In total, 25% (n = 6) were bridged with VA-ECMO, 54% (n = 13) with VV-ECMO, and 21% (n = 5) with iLA. Overall, 71% of patients were bridged successfully to LTx. The 1-year survival posttransplantation was 88%. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing the MCS modalities of VA-ECMO, VV-ECMO, and most recently iLA, as a BTT. MCS is a viable strategy for BTT, offering improved survival outcomes for decompensating adult patients awaiting LTx, resulting in excellent survival posttransplantation.

Association between transient acute kidney injury and morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common occurrence after lung transplantation (LTx). Whether transient AKI or early recovery is associated with improved outcome is uncertain. Our aim was to describe the incidence, factors, and outcomes associated with transient AKI after LTx. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all adult recipients of LTx at the University of Alberta between 1990 and 2011. Our primary outcome transient AKI was defined as return of serum creatinine below Kidney Disease-Improving Global Outcome AKI stage I within 7days after LTx. Secondary outcomes included occurrence of postoperative complications, mortality, and long-term kidney function. RESULTS: Of 445 LTx patients enrolled, AKI occurred in 306 (68.8%) within the first week after LTx. Of these, transient AKI (or early recovery) occurred in 157 (51.3%). Transient AKI was associated with fewer complications including tracheostomy (17.2% vs 38.3%; P<.001), reintubation (16.4% vs 41.9%; P<.001), decreased duration of mechanical ventilation (median [interquartile range], 69 [41-142] vs 189 [63-403] hours; P<.001), and lower rates of chronic kidney disease at 3 months (28.5% vs 51.1%, P<.001) and 1 year (49.6% vs 66.7%, P=.01) compared with persistent AKI. Factors independently associated with persistent AKI were higher body mass index (per unit; odds ratio [OR], 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-0.98; P=.01), cyclosporine use (OR, 0.29; 0.12-0.67; P=.01), longer duration of mechanical ventilation (per hour [log transformed]; OR, 0.42; 0.21-0.81; P=.01), and AKI stages II to III (OR, 0.16; 0.08-0.29; P<.001). Persistent AKI was associated with higher adjusted hazard of death (hazard ratio, 1.77 [1.08-2.93]; P=.02) when compared with transient AKI (1.44 [0.93-2.19], P=.09) and no AKI (reference category), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Transient AKI after LTx is associated with fewer complications and improved survival. Among survivors, persistent AKI portends an increased risk for long-term chronic kidney disease.

Emergence of Aspergillus calidoustus infection in the era of posttransplantation azole prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Universal antifungal prophylaxis with azoles is commonly used after lung transplantation. We noted an increase in isolates of Aspergillus calidoustus in our transplant population and hypothesized that increasing azole use (universal prophylaxis since 2008) may be promoting this infection. METHODS: Clinical and microbiologic data for A. calidoustus cases from 2008 to 2011 were extracted from chart review. For lung transplant patients, a case-control study was performed to determine risk factors, and incidence rates were calculated. RESULTS: From 2008 to 2011, we identified seven organ transplant recipients and one hematopoietic stem-cell transplant patient with positive A. calidoustus culture results in bronchoalveolar lavage at a median of 13 months after transplantation (interquartile range, 4-39 months). Chest computed tomographic scan was consistent with fungal infection in six of eight patients, and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group criteria classified these as "probable" invasive aspergillosis. In the case-control study, there were no differences in immunosuppression, number of respiratory samples taken, length of intensive care unit stay, or rejection rates. Of controls, 33.3% received third-generation azole prophylaxis compared with 83.3% of cases (P=0.13). However, median duration of exposure was greater in cases than in controls (3 vs. 0 months, P=0.045). Fungal minimum inhibitory concentration for voriconazole was 4 µg/mL or greater for six of eight cases. Incidence rates in lung transplants showed an increase of A. calidoustus (0/1000 vs. 11.3/1000 patient-years in 2006-2007 and 2008-2011, respectively; P=0.018), whereas Aspergillus fumigatus cases decreased (73.9/1000 vs. 49.0/1000 patient-years, P=0.0066). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary A. calidoustus seems to be an emerging pathogen mainly in lung transplants. We suggest that third-generation azole use reduced the incidence of A. fumigatus, but the incidence of A. calidoustus, an azole-resistant fungus, was increased.

Lung and heart lung transplantation at the University of Alberta 1986-2010.

The lung transplantation program at the University of Alberta has been in existence for 25 years. The current volume is 35-40 new lung transplants per year. We offer single-lung, bilateral lung, heart/lung and bilateral living lobar transplantation as options. Experience has allowed for widening of the indications and acceptance of patients with more risk. Donor evaluation and management has allowed for extended donors to be included in the donor pool. Results will likely continue to improve with increased understanding of the mechanisms and management of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Our research interests have been in the areas of risk analysis, outcome assessment, and quality of life changes from transplantation.

The use of patient-reported outcomes becomes standard practice in the routine clinical care of lung-heart transplant patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of patient-reported outcome (PROs) measures in the routine clinical care of lung-heart transplant patients. We assessed whether the addition of PROs in routine clinical care affected the duration of the consultation and patient's and clinician's views. METHOD: Consecutive lung-heart transplant patients visiting the outpatient clinic, University of Alberta Hospital, completed the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ) and the Health Utilities Index (HUI) on touchscreen computers. Information on the patient's responses was made available to the members of the transplant team prior to the encounter with the patient. The duration of clinical encounters was noted. At the end of every visit, clinicians completed a questionnaire on the usefulness of having PRO information available. After 6 months patients completed a survey of their experiences. RESULTS: The final patient sample consisted of 172 patients with a mean (SD) age of 52 (13.3) years old; 47% were female; 68% were organ recipients and 32% candidates. The transplant team, comprising four pulmunologists, two nurses, and one pharmacist had an average of 9 years of practical experience in pulmunology. The mean duration of patient-clinician encounters in minutes was 15.15 (4.52). Ninety-eight percent of patients indicated that they would be happy to complete the CRQ and HUI at every clinic visit. Ninety-one percent of the assessments completed by clinicians showed complete satisfaction with the use of PROs in routine practice. Further, the clinicians developed guidelines for the use of PRO information in clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of PRO measures in the routine clinical care of lung-heart transplant patients resulted in a reduction of the duration of patient-clinician encounters. The experience was well accepted by patients and clinicians. We conclude that the routine use of PROs in lung-heart transplant patients has become standard practice.