Lung Transplantation for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Multicenter Experience

Purpose Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a rapidly progressive lung disease with a high mortality rate. Although lung transplantation (LTx) is a well-established treatment for a variety of chronic pulmonary diseases, LTx for acute lung failure (due to ARDS) remains controversial. We retrospectively reviewed the post-transplant outcome of ARDS patients from three high-volume European transplant centers. Methods From August 1998 to May 2020, a total of 13 patients (mean age, 29.2 ±3.6 years) transplanted for ARDS, were identified. Demographics and clinical data of these patients were collected and analyzed. Results Viral infection (H1N1, cytomegalovirus, H3N1 and SARS-CoV-2) was the main reason (n=7/13, 53.8%) for ARDS. All patients were admitted to ICU, mechanical ventilated and 11/13 were supported with ECMO during listing, with a median LTx listing time of 3 days (IQR 1.5-14). Postoperatively, median length of mechanical ventilation after LTx was 33 days (IQR 17-52.5), ICU and hospital stay were respectively 39 days (IQR 19.5-58.5) and 54 days (IQR 43.5-127). Prolongation of peripheral postoperative ECMO was required in 7/13 (53.8%) patients with median duration of 2 days (IQR 2-7). The 30-day mortality was 7.7%, median survival 590 days, 1-year and 5-year survival rates were calculated as 71.6% and 54.2%, respectively. Median follow-up time was 536 (IQR 142-1524) days. Conclusion Given the lack of alternative treatment options the herein presented results support the concept of offering LTx to carefully selected ARDS patients.