Abstract
Introduction : The postoperative period is a critical time in lung transplantation. It has already been established that the type of end-stage lung disease has an impact on the survival benefit after lung transplantation. However, the specific aspects of postoperative evolution such as mechanical ventilation duration (MVD), intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LOS), and hospital LOS have not been extensively studied.
Methods: We reviewed the experience in our center through a retrospective chart analysis of 201 patients who underwent lung transplantation from 2004 to 2010. We investigated if the MVD, ICU LOS, hospital LOS and the need for a tracheotomy are related to the underlying end-stage lung disease. We analyzed the data with descriptive statistics to identify differences between subgroups. Access to medical charts was granted by the Research Ethics Committee.
Results: Our results show that Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) patients have much longer MVD, ICU LOS and hospital LOS, require more tracheotomies and have higher mortality in the postoperative period when compared to other end-stage lung diseases. (Table 1)
Conclusion: Patients with IPF have longer ICU LOS and this seems to be related to longer MVD. Further research could address methods of improving weaning from mechanical ventilation in these patients.
- © 2012 ERS