Primary Graft Failure Following Lung Transplantation: Predictive Factors of Mortality

Study objectives To assess incidence, outcome, and early predictors of mortality for patients with primary graft failure (PGF) following lung transplantation (LTx), and to develop an injury severity score able to accurately predict ICU mortality for these patients. Design Retrospective cohort analysis. Setting Two LTx centers in Paris. Patients Two hundred fifty-nine patients who underwent LTx over a 12-year period. Measurements and results One hundred thirty-one patients (50.6%) met PGF criteria: radiographic graft infiltrate within the first 3 days following LTx associated with gas exchange impairment (Pao 2 /fraction of inspired oxygen ratio Conclusion PGF following LTx is a frequent event, with significant ICU morbidity and mortality. We demonstrate that four simple factors allow prediction of ICU mortality with good accuracy.