Acute renal failure following lung transplantation: risk factors, mortality, and long-term consequences

Acute renal failure (ARF) frequently complicates lung transplantation. This study determined the prevalence, predictive factors, and consequences of ARF on long-term renal function and survival.

One hundred and seventy-four lung transplantation recipients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of ARF defined as a 50% decrease in creatinine clearance from baseline (group I: 67 patients with ARF; group II: 107 patients without ARF). Multivariate analysis compared pre-operative, operative, and post-operative risk factors to assess predictive factors. Renal function over time was assessed by two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

ARF developed in 67 (39%) of patients. Multivariate analysis identified aprotinin (OR 2.20 (1.11; 4.36), p=0.02) and double lung transplantation (OR 2.61 (1.32; 5.15), p=0.006) as risk factors for post-operative renal failure. At 5 years following transplant, creatinine clearance was similar between the two groups (group I CrCl: 73 ml s(-1); group II CrCl: 53 ml s(-1); p=0.54). Survival at 5 years was the same in the two groups. Multivariate analysis associated age at the time of transplantation (HR 1.030 (1.004; 1.057), p=0.02) and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (HR 1.029 (1.008; 1.051), p=0.007) with decreased survival.

The use of aprotinin and double lung transplantation are associated with ARF following lung transplantation. Age at the time of transplantation and a longer intensive care stay predict decreased survival. ARF after lung transplantation is not predictive of late renal dysfunction or decreased long-term survival.