Rabbit antithymocyte globulin induction therapy for lung transplantation does not affect long-term allograft function or survival

Abstract

Lung transplant survival is limited by the development of chronic allograft dysfunction, manifest as bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). The severity and frequency of acute rejection episodes are linked to BOS development. Previously, we demonstrated that rabbit antithymocyte globulin (RATG) induction therapy is associated with a decrease in the incidence of early acute rejection. This analysis seeks to determine the long-term effects of RATG induction in lung transplantation.