Pulmonary hypertension as a risk factor of mortality after lung transplantation

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is recognized as a risk factor in lung transplantation as reflected in the lung allocation score (LAS). We examined the impact of PH on outcome after lung transplantation, with special emphasis on pre- and post-capillary PH.

Consecutive lung transplant recipients were evaluated according to ISHLT criteria including right heart catheterization in the period from 1992 to October 2014. Post-transplant survival was assessed according to hemodynamic characteristics: post-capillary PH (mean pulmonary arterial pressure [mPAP] ≥ 25 mmHg and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure [PAWP] > 15 mmHg), pre-capillary PH (mPAP ≥ 25 mmHg, PAWP ≤ 15 mmHg) and non-PH (mPAP < 25 mmHg).

Of 518 transplant recipients, 58 (11%) had post-capillary PH. Pre-capillary PH was present in 211 (41%) and 249 (48%) non-PH. Post-capillary PH and pre-capillary PH were associated with worse 90-d outcomes after transplantation compared to non-PH (p = 0.043 and 0.003, respectively). The negative effect persisted 1 yr post-transplantation in pre-capillary PH (p = 0.037), but not in post-capillary PH (p = 0.447). Long-term survival was unaffected by hemodynamic classification.

Post-capillary PH was present in 11% and pre-capillary PH in 41% of the transplant cohort. Post-capillary PH and pre-capillary PH were associated with inferior 90-d survival, but long-term survival was unaffected.