TY - JOUR T1 - The impact of desensitization therapy prior to lung transplantation JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 40 IS - Suppl 56 SP - P1477 AU - Suneesh Nair AU - Rahat Hussain AU - Hammad Qureshi AU - Harish Seethamraju AU - Kyle Dawson AU - Pawel Kolodziejski AU - Amit Parulekar Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P1477.abstract N2 - Introduction: Limited data exists on the impact of allosensitization on waitlist time and waitlist mortality in lung transplantation. No published data exists on the impact of desensitzation therapy in lung transplant patients.Aim: Determine the impact of desensitization therapy on wait time and waitlist mortality.Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study based on chart review of all patients listed for lung transplant between 1/1/2007 and 12/31/2010 at The Methodist Hospital. Groups were compared by Chi square test. P-values of 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: Excluding retransplant listings, 299 patients were listed for lung transplant. 30(10%) had panel reactive antibody (PRA) ≥25%, while 269 (90%) had PRA <25%. Median wait time was significantly longer in those with PRA ≥25% (181 days vs. 45 days, p= <0.0001). Waitlist mortality was also significantly higher in those with PRA ≥25% (26.7% vs. 8.6%, p= <0.001). Of the patients with PRA ≥25%, 16 (53.3%) underwent desensitization with intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange +/- rituximab. Of the patients undergoing desensitization therapy, 10 (62.5%) were transplanted, 4 died waiting (25%), and 2 (12.5%) are still waiting. Of the patients with PRA ≥25% that did not receive desensitization therapy, 7 (50%) were transplanted, 4 (28.6%) died waiting, and 3 (21.4%) are still waiting.Conclusion: PRA ≥25% was associated with a longer wait time and higher waitlist mortality. Desensitization therapy did not improve waitlist time or waitlist mortality when compared to allosensitized patients that did not undergo desensitization. Study is limited by being a retrospective, single center study with low numbers of patients. ER -