Background: An obstructive pattern in pulmonary function test is common after lung transplantation (LTx) and may be caused by multiple disorders. In this study, the impact and outcome of an obstructive spirometric pattern identified in transplant recipients early posttransplantation were investigated.
Methods: Analyzing all patients undergoing double LTx between September 1, 2007, and October 1, 2009, we separated patients with an obstructive (forced expiratory volume in 1 sec [FEV(1)]: vital capacity [VC] <0.7) and a nonobstructive pattern (FEV(1):VC ≥0.7) in pulmonary function tests 3 months after transplantation. Pulmonary function measurement, bronchoscopy, laboratory parameter, computed tomography morphology, mortality, and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS)-free survival were analyzed up to 36 months after transplantation. In addition, information about donor lungs were collected (age, smoking history, and blood gas before lung harvesting).
Results: From 122 recipients included, 17 (14%) exhibited an obstructive pattern. Recipients with an early obstructive pattern were older at transplantation, had significantly decreased FEV(1), increased total lung capacity, and donor organ with lower pO(2) when ventilated with 100% oxygen before retrieval. Obstructive patients developed their best FEV(1) earlier after LTx and demonstrated a significant increase in BOS development (47% vs. 14%).
Conclusions: An obstructive lung function pattern early after LTx was associated with earlier development of BOS and may have negative impact on outcome after double LTx. Early obstructive pattern after transplantation might be an indication of structural donor lung injury.