325: Survival and functional status in patients 10 years after lung transplantation in Lund, Sweden

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to describe the true survival, lung function, and physical working capacity in patients ten years after lung transplantation at the Lund University Hospital. Methods and Materials: Thirty-nine patients were transplanted between January 1990 and December 1995 and included in the analysis. All patients received induction therapy with ATG. All were put on triple immunosuppression with CyA, AZA and steroids. The method was to compile the results from spirometry, 6-minute walk test and working capacity measured by bicycle ergometer from the ten year check-up. Results: 22 of the 39 have survived ten years or more after the lung transplantation. One-, fiveand ten-year survival were 87%, 72% and 59% respectively. Median vital capacity was 82 % (43-119) of predicted values and the forced expiratory volume in 1 second was 84 % (22-144) of predicted values. The median walking distance of the 6-minute walk test was 454 m (218-614 m) or 78 % (34-123) of predicted values. The median result of the bicycle working capacity was 52 % (33-112) of predicted values. Conclusions: The survival rate of the lung transplanted patients in Lund was good compared to other published data. The patients as a group had lung function values which were a bit lower than normal. Functional capacity measured as 6-minute walk was at the lower end of predicted while working capacity measured by bicycle ergometer was considerably reduced. Lung function was not function limiting in the majority of the patients but rather peripheral muscle function. 326