C1-esterase-inhibitor for primary graft dysfunction in lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND:Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is the most important cause of early morbidity and mortality in lung transplantation (LTX) with an incidence of 8% to 20%. We hypothesized that application of C1-esterase-inhibitor (C1-INH) in LTX-recipients showing early signs of severe PGD would attenuate the condition. METHODS:Starting as of May 2010, all recipients showing a PaO2/FiO2 ratio of less than 100 as early sign of PGD at first measurement in the OR were immediately treated with C1-INH. Postoperative courses of C1-INH-treated recipients were compared with a subgroup of recipients that developed severe PGD (PGD3-group) within 72 hours after LTX but did not receive C1-INH. Additionally, a third group consisting of all remaining recipients was assembled. RESULTS:A total of 275 LTX were performed between May 2010 and September 2012 at our center. Among these, 24 patients (8.7%) revealed a first PaO2/FiO2 ratio less than 100 and were treated with C1-INH (C1-INH-group). The PGD3-group consisted of 14 patients; the control cohort consisted of 237 patients. PGD scores were significantly higher in the C1-INH-group and PGD3-group as compared with the control group at all times postoperatively. ICU stay was longest in the PGD3 cohort and prolonged in C1-INH patients compared with the control group (29 [2-70] vs. 9 [2-83] vs. 3 [1-166] days, P=0.002). One-year survival in the PGD3-cohort was 71.4%, the C1-INH-treated-group had a one-year-survival of 82.5%, the control group had the best outcome (95%) (P=0.001). CONCLUSION:Treatment of PGD with C1-INH led to acceptable outcome. Although survival in the C1-INH treated patients was lower than in the remaining collective, it was as good or better, compared with the PGD3 group and as what is internationally regarded as reasonable after LTX.