Limited Effect of Prevention Strategies on Incidence of Clinically Detectable Venous Thromboembolism After Lung Transplantation.

Background: Thromboembolic complications are common post-lung transplant, leading to significant morbidity. We instituted multiple interventions because of an observed 36.8% incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) (Incidence rate (IR) 5.

Proton Pump Inhibitors Independently Protect Against Early Allograft Injury or Chronic Rejection After Lung Transplantation.

Background: Acid reflux has been associated with poor outcomes following lung transplantation. Unlike surgical fundoplication, the role of noninvasive, pharmacologic acid suppression remains uncertain.

Aims: To assess the relationship between post-transplant acid suppression with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) or histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) and onset of early allograft injury or chronic rejection following lung transplantation.

The Presence of Pretransplant HLA Antibodies Does Not Impact the Development of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction or CLAD-Related Death.

Background: Development of donor-specific antibodies (DSA) after lung transplantation is associated with antibody mediated rejection, acute cellular rejection, and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome; however, the significance of circulating antibodies before transplant remains unclear.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study including recipients of primary lung transplants between 2008 and 2012. We assessed the impact of circulating HLA and noncytotoxic DSA detected before transplant on development of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction (CLAD) or CLAD-related death.

Automated measurement of pulmonary emphysema and small airway remodeling in cigarette smoke-exposed mice.

COPD is projected to be the third most common cause of mortality world-wide by 2020((1)). Animal models of COPD are used to identify molecules that contribute to the disease process and to test the efficacy of novel therapies for COPD. Researchers use a number of models of COPD employing different species including rodents, guinea-pigs, rabbits, and dogs((2)).

Prevalence and outcome of lung cancer in lung transplant recipients.

Background: Lung transplant is the only available therapy for patients with advanced lung disease. The goal of this study was to examine the prevalence, origin, management and outcome of lung cancer in recipients of lung transplant at our institution.

Methods: After institutional review board approval, we conducted a retrospective chart review of all lung transplantations in our institution from January 1990 until June 2012.

Serologic response to hepatitis B vaccination among lung transplantation candidates.

Background: Optimal hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination strategies for lung transplantation (LT) candidates are not well established.

Methods: LT candidates with negative anti-HBs and anti-HBc antibody titers at baseline who received standard-dose HBV vaccination (Recombivax-HB 10 mcg/mL or Engerix-B 20 mcg/mL) administered at months 0, 1, and 6 or an accelerated vaccination schedule on days 0, 7 to 14, and 21 to 28 between June 1988 and October 2012 were studied. Patients who were more likely to undergo LT within 6 months of evaluation received the accelerated vaccination schedule starting in August 2009.

Impact of pretransplant anti-HLA antibodies on outcomes in lung transplant candidates.

Rationale: The prevalence of anti-HLA antibodies in lung transplant candidates and their impact on waitlist and transplant outcomes is not known.

Objectives: We examined the prevalence of pretransplant anti-HLA antibodies at varying thresholds and evaluated their impact on outcomes before and after lung transplantation.

Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study including all patients listed for lung transplantation between January 2008 and August 2012.

Selenoprotein N deficiency in mice is associated with abnormal lung development.

Mutations in the human SEPN1 gene, encoding selenoprotein N (SepN), cause SEPN1-related myopathy (SEPN1-RM) characterized by muscle weakness, spinal rigidity, and respiratory insufficiency. As with other members of the selenoprotein family, selenoprotein N incorporates selenium in the form of selenocysteine (Sec). Most selenoproteins that have been functionally characterized are involved in oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions, with the Sec residue located at their catalytic site.

A targeted peritransplant antifungal strategy for the prevention of invasive fungal disease after lung transplantation: a sequential cohort analysis.

Background: Lung transplant recipients are at high risk of invasive fungal disease (IFD), particularly invasive aspergillosis and candidiasis. The antifungal strategy that optimally balances effective reduction of IFD with a minimum of toxicity remains undefined; universal triazole prophylaxis is common at lung transplantation (LT) centers, despite the well-known toxicities and costs of this approach.

Methods: We implemented an antifungal strategy in March 2007 targeted at LT recipients at highest risk for IFD based on our institutional epidemiology.