Abstract
Background: Respiratory events are frequent in kidney transplant (KT) recipients. There is sparse data on the usefulness of bronchoscopy in this group of patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety of bronchoscopy in KT recipients. Secondary aim was to assess if an expert review could reduce the need of bronchoscopy.
Methods: Retrospective monocentric study including all KT recipients followed in Rouen University Hospital that underwent a bronchoscopy between 2011 and 2017.
Results: Thirty-nine KT recipients were included. Bronchoscopy was performed for either clinical and/or radiological abnormalities, mainly fever (n:18, 46%) and pulmonary infiltrates (n:17, 44%), respectively. Bronchoscopy was performed 291 [172 – 1020] days following KT. Bacterial infections was the most frequent diagnosis (n:10, 33%). Overall diagnostic yield was 51% but was higher in patients diagnosed with respiratory infections (77%). Bronchoscopy results led to a change in the treatment of 20 (51%) patients. One patient required invasive ventilation following the bronchoscopy. Expert respiratory review led to a reduction in the number of bronchoscopy when compared to senior or junior respiratory specialists: 69, 87 and 76% respectively (p:0.008).
Conclusion: Bronchoscopy in KT recipients with respiratory symptoms or radiological abnormalities is a safe and useful strategy.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, PA4786.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2019