A new method for classifying prognostic risk factors in lung transplant candidates

Predicting risk of waitlist mortality and subsequent classification of lung transplant candidates has been difficult due to inter-relatedness of risk factors, differential risk across populations, and changes in relationships over time. We developed a clinically intuitive indexing system to simplify mortality risk assessment.

Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data from February 19, 2015, to May 26, 2020 (n = 13,726) were used to estimate 3 constructs. Airway and oxygen function indices were estimated using confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical clustering was used to derive respiratory support clusters. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to characterize event-free waitlist survival by constructs (3), age, sex, and diagnosis group. Model performance was compared to the Lung Allocation Score/Composite Allocation Score (LAS/CAS).

Airway and oxygen function indices were created with substantive factor loadings forced expiratory volume (0.86), forced vital capacity (0.64), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (0.56) and PO₂/fraction of inspired oxygen (0.83), partial pressure of oxygen (0.59), and mean pulmonary artery pressure (0.30), respectively. Four respiratory support clusters (C1: as needed O₂, C2: continuous O₂, C3: continuous O₂/positive pressure ventilation (PPV), C4: PPV + extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) were identified. Constructs were used to identify patient profiles. Model area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.85 [0.84, 0.87] compared to the LAS 0.92 [0.91, 0.94] at 4 weeks. Risk predictions were relatively insensitive to airway and oxygen function indices in C1 and C4 but varied across C2 and C3.

Reducing the dimensionality of waitlist mortality risk offers an opportunity to identify clinical phenotypes that are more nuanced and thus more interpretable than current risk assessment provided by the LAS/CAS models.