J. Reich1, T. Tran1, M. Kashem1, L. Siddique1, A. Firoz1, G. Masters1, H. Kehara1, G. Sunagawa1, E. Leotta1, R. Yanagida1, C. Mangukia1, N. Shigemura1, Y. Toyoda1 1Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Division Of Cardiovascular Surgery, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Introduction:
In this abstract, we explore the effect of age on lung transplant (LT) outcomes. There exists limited single-center data assessing whether there should be an upper age limit for LTx. In analyzing our institution’s own data bank for age-related outcomes we hope to inform future transplant practices.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed all single and double lung transplants at our institution from Feb-2012 to Aug-2021 (n=868). Patients were grouped by age into those <70 years old and those ≥70. The two groups were compared for total ischemic time, warm ischemic time, gender, CPB time, LAS score, LOS, SLTx vs DLTx, surgical approach, and type of induction therapy. Data were analyzed using JMP Inc. (version 15.0) and p-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant.
Results:
Between all groups, ischemic time (p=0.076) and warm ischemic time (p=0.399) were not significantly different. The <70 age group had more males in proportion to females (p<0.01), more ethnically white (p<0.001), had greater CPB times (p=0.037), greater LAS scores (p=0.009), and longer LOS (p=0.026). The ≥70 age group had predominantly more SLTx (p<0.001), favored the antero-axillary thoracotomy approach (p=0.002), and had a greater majority of simulect induction compared to campath (p<0.001). Kaplan Meier analysis showed no significant 5-year survival difference in the <70 years age group compared to the ≥70 years group within both the SLTx group (p=0.054) and the DLTx group (p=0.063). Cox Regression showed survival was impacted by longer LOS (p<0.001).
Conclusion:
Our results suggest that lung transplant recipients ≥70 years old have similar survival outcomes compared to those <70 for both SLTx and DLTx. This data supports the idea that lung transplantation is a safe and promising treatment option for elderly patients.
