Potential functional and survival benefit of double over single lung transplantation for selected patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a frequent indication for lung transplantation (LTX) with pulmonary hypertension (PH) negatively affecting outcome. The optimal procedure type remains a debated topic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of pretransplant PH in IPF patients. Single LTX (SLTX, n = 46) was the standard procedure type. Double LTX (DLTX, n = 30) was only performed in cases of relevant PH or additional suppurative lung disease. There was no significant difference for pretransplant clinical parameters. Preoperative mean pulmonary arterial pressure was significantly higher in DLTX recipients (22.7 +/- 0.8 mmHg vs. 35.9 +/- 1.8 mmHg, P < 0.001). After transplantation, 6-min-walk distance and BEST-FEV(1) were significantly higher for DLTX patients (6-MWD: 410 +/- 25 m vs. 498 +/- 23 m, P = 0.02; BEST-FEV(1): 71.2 +/- 3.0 (% pred) vs. 86.2 +/- 4.2 (% pred), P = 0.004). Double LTX recipients demonstrated a significantly better 1-year-, overall- and Bronchiolitis obliterans Syndrome (BOS)-free survival (P < 0.05). Cox regression analysis confirmed SLTX to be a significant predictor for death and BOS. Single LTX offers acceptable survival rates for IPF patients. Double LTX provides a significant benefit in selected recipients. Our data warrant further trials of SLTX versus DLTX stratifying for potential confounders including PH.