Journal of transplantation
Association Between Early Posttransplant Graft Perfusion and CLAD-Free Survival After Single Lung Transplantation
By Tanaka S, Ishihara M, Kubo Y and 10 others.
Abstract
Background
The physiological relevance of postoperative perfusion distribution after single lung transplantation (SLT) remains poorly defined, as asymmetric blood flow toward the graft is often regarded as an inherent consequence of the remaining native lung. This study aimed to determine whether the graft-directed perfusion ratio assessed by quantitative lung perfusion scintigraphy (QLPS) in the early postoperative period serves as an early physiological marker after SLT.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed SLT recipients who underwent surgery at Okayama University Hospital between 1998 and 2021 and completed QLPS approximately 3 months posttransplant. The graft perfusion ratio (graft flow/total pulmonary flow × 100%) was quantified, and recipients were classified into high (≥ 80%) and low (< 80%) perfusion groups. CLAD-free survival, overall survival, and longitudinal perfusion changes were compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis and repeated-measures ANOVA.