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OBJECTIVES Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) occurs in 10–25% of cases and remains responsible for significant morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation. Our goal was to explore donor and recipient variables and procedure factors that could be related to early graft failure in cystic fibrosis patients receiving bilateral lung transplantation, the PGD grade being derived from the PaO2/FiO2 ratio measured at the sixth post-operative hour. METHODS Data from 122 cystic fibrosis patients having undergone lung transplantation in six transplant centres in France were retrospectively analysed. Donor and recipient variables, procedure characteristics and anaesthesia management items were recorded and analysed with regard to the PaO2/FiO2 ratio at the sixth post-operative hour. Recipients were divided into three groups according to this ratio: Grade I PGD, when PaO2/FiO2 >300 mmHg or extubated patients, Grade II, when PaO2/FiO2 = 200–300 mmHg, and Grade III, when PaO2/FiO2 <200 mmHg or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation still required. RESULTS Forty-eight patients were Grade I, 32 patients Grade II and 42 patients Grade III PGD. Oto's donor score, recipient variables and procedure characteristics were not statistically linked to PaO2/FiO2 at the sixth post-operative hour. Ischaemic time of the last implanted graft and the lactate level at the end of the procedure are the only factors related to Grade III PGD in this group. CONCLUSIONS Hyperlactataemia most probably reflects the severity of early PGD, which leaves graft ischaemic time as the only factor predicting early PGD in a multicentre population of cystic fibrosis lung graft recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]