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BACKGROUND Lung transplantation (LTx) is a life-extending therapy for specific patients with terminal lung diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the associations and causes of 1-year mortality after lung transplantation at Strasbourg University Hospital, France, between 2012 and 2021. MATERIAL AND METHODS We carried out a retrospective analysis on 425 patients who underwent LTx at Strasbourg University Hospital between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2021. Pre-transplant, perioperative, and postoperative data were collected from the electronic medical records. RESULTS Among all patients, 94.6% had a LTx, 4.0% a heart-lung transplantation, and 1.4% underwent pancreatic islet-lung transplantation. The median age at transplantation was 57 years, with 55.3% male patients. The main native lung disease leading to LTx was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 51.1% of patients; 16.2% needed super-urgent LTx. The 1-year mortality rate was 11.5%. Most deaths were either caused by multi-organ failure or septic shock. In our multivariate analysis, we identified 3 risk factors significantly related to 1-year mortality after LTx: body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 30 kg/m² vs BMI between 18.5 and 25 kg/m² (P=0.032), postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (P=0.034), and intensive care unit length of stay after transplantation (P<0.001). Two other factors were associated with a significantly lower 1-year mortality risk: longer hospital stay after LTx (P=0.024) and tacrolimus prescription (P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS Our study reported a 1-year mortality rate of 11.5% after LTx. Although LTx candidates are carefully selected, additional data are required to improve understanding of the risk factors for post-LTx mortality.

Introduction: Lung graft allocation can be based on a score (Lung Allocation Score) as in the USA or sequential proposals combined with a discrete priority model as in France. We aimed to analyse the impact of allocation policy on the outcome of urgent lung transplantation (LT)., Methods: US United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and French Cristal databases were retrospectively reviewed to analyse LT performed between 2007 and 2017. We analysed the mortality risk of urgent LT by fitting Cox models and adjusted Restricted Mean Survival Time. We then compared the outcome after urgent LT in the UNOS and Cristal groups using a propensity score matching., Results: After exclusion of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema and redo LT, 3775 and 12 561 patients underwent urgent LT and non-urgent LT in the USA while 600 and 2071 patients underwent urgent LT and non-urgent LT in France. In univariate analysis, urgent LT was associated with an HR for death of 1.24 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.48) in the Cristal group and 1.12 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.19) in the UNOS group. In multivariate analysis, the effect of urgent LT was attenuated and no longer statistically significant in the Cristal database (HR 1.1 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.33)) while it remained constant and statistically significant in the UNOS database (HR 1.12 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.2)). Survival comparison of urgent LT patients between the two countries was significantly different in favour of the UNOS group (1-year survival rates 84.1% (80.9%-87.3%) vs 75.4% (71.8%-79.1%) and 3-year survival rates 66.3% (61.9%-71.1%) vs 62.7% (58.5%-67.1%), respectively)., Conclusion: Urgent LT is associated with adverse outcome in the USA and in France with a better prognosis in the US score-based system taking post-transplant survival into account. This difference between two healthcare systems is multifactorial., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Introduction: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, France underwent several lockdown periods during 2020. Our aim was to evaluate its clinical and social impact on lung transplant (LT) patients treated at Strasbourg University Hospital, by comparing three periods: first lockdown (T1: March-May 2020), end of the first lockdown (T2: May-October 2020), and second lockdown (T3: November-December 2020) and the incidence of COVID-19 infections. A cohort of patients with rare lung disease (RLD) was also studied during T2., Methods: We used clinical and paraclinical data collected during routine follow-up. A questionnaire was submitted to each patient at each period to assess their lifestyle, adherence to protective measures against COVID-19, contacts with their family and friends, and contagion risk. The incidence of new COVID-19 cases was also assessed., Results: Overall, 283 LT and 57 RLD patients were included. We observed only eight COVID-19 cases over the three periods (n = 4 during T1, n = 0 during T2, and n = 4 during T3) in LT patients, with 37.5 % of patients hospitalized, no ICU transfers, and 100 % favorable outcomes. No case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in the RLD cohort. When comparing the three periods in the LT group, fewer patients limited their out-of-home activities during T2 (p < 0.0001). The frequency of these activities increased after the first lockdown, for the purchase of basic necessities (p < 0.0001), and professional activity continued (p = 0.008). We observed a significant increase in unscheduled medical consultations and in the prescription of anti-infective treatments during the end of the lockdown (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.005, respectively). Adherence to lockdown and to protective measures was high in both groups of patients., Conclusion: COVID-19 incidence remained low in both groups and there were significant lifestyle evolutions in LT patients and in those with RLD between first and second lockdown., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the posttransplant setting. Treatment is based on chemotherapy; surgery is still debated and should be performed in very select cases., Methods: We observed 2 patients out of 300 who underwent lung transplantation in the Nouvel Hopital Civil between 2013 and 2019 with primary hepatic lymphoma. Chemotherapy with a rituximab-cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, vincristine, prednisone protocol was performed in all patients. Mycophenolate mofetil was interrupted before treatment, and everolimus was introduced after chemotherapy by associating tacrolimus withdrawal., Results: One patient showed complete remission; after 7 years, no recurrence has been noticed. The second is still undergoing chemotherapy with no signs of disease progression., Conclusions: DLBCL risk is higher in solid organ transplant recipients than in the general population. Primary hepatic lymphoma diagnosis is often difficult and based on histologic findings after initial clinical and radiological suspicion of primary or secondary liver neoplasia. Diagnosis is challenging because no clinical, radiological, or biological features exist. Biopsy is always indicated for histologic confirmation. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of therapy, but surgery may be indicated in very select patients., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A best evidence topic was constructed according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether size-reduced or lobar lung transplantation (LLTx) offers the same benefit as classic lung transplantation (LTx). Of the 147 papers found using the reported search, 9 were selected to provide the best evidence. Details of the studies regarding authors, date, journal, country of publication, study type, group studied, relevant outcomes and results are given. All studies reported survival rates of LLTx and most compared it with classical LTx. No statistical differences were reported in medium term and long term. Two of the studies reported a higher incidence of postoperative complications, such as the need for cardiopulmonary bypass, reperfusion oedema or primary graft dysfunction, and longer intubation or intensive care unit stay times. Although the largest study showed a significantly worse 1-year survival in LLTx, a sub-analysis considering patients successfully discharged showed similar outcomes at 1, 3 and 5 years when compared with classic LTx patients. We conclude that LLTx is a valid therapeutic option for recipients with significant donor size mismatch, offering similar outcomes as classical LTx in the medium term and long term., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

A best evidence topic was constructed according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether pulmonary grafts from donors deceased from hanging offer the same benefit as grafts from donors deceased from other causes in lung transplantation. Of the 17 papers found, 4 provided the best evidence to answer the question. The authors, date, journal, country of publication, study type, group studied, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. One study reported a large cohort of donors and analysed the outcomes by cause of death, reporting no differences in survival. The remaining 3 papers analysed observational studies on the outcomes of lung transplantation using pulmonary grafts from donors deceased from hanging, compared with donors deceased from other causes. No differences in the rates of post-transplantation pulmonary graft dysfunction and long-term overall survival were reported. Although the cohort of donors deceased from hanging is small, we conclude that these donors are an important contribution to the donor pool. Ex vivo lung perfusion may have a role in assessing graft viability in this scenario., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To study patient survival and glycemic control before and after lung transplantation (LTx) according to the diabetes status in patients submitted to an organized management of diabetes mellitus (DM) at the Strasbourg University Hospital, France., Material and Methods: Two hundred and sixty-seven LTx recipients were included retrospectively and analyzed according to diabetes status: pretransplant diabetes, new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplant (NODAT) or no diabetes. Organized DM management was coordinated by a diabetologist trained in DM management before and after transplantation and included pretransplant screening, a close monitoring of glycemia after transplant and optimized treatment before and after LTx., Results: DM was well-controlled after transplantation: mean glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting blood glucose levels after LTx were 5.8 ± 0.2% and 5.4 ± 0.1 mmol/L respectively, in pretransplant DM patients and 5.7 ± 0.1% and 5.6 ± 0.2 mmol/L respectively, in NODAT patients. The overall median survival time was 8.3 ± 1.9 years. Pretransplant DM increased the risk of mortality (1.82-fold increase; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-3.06; P = .02) in LTx recipients., Conclusions: Organized management of diabetes achieved very satisfactory glycemic control in both pretransplant DM and NODAT patients. However, no specific protocols have been created for managing DM following LTx. As DM continues to become an increasing comorbidity in LTx, there exist a significant need of studies in this area., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Clamshell (bilateral anterolateral thoracotomy combined to transverse sternotomy) is an invasive surgical approach that is helpful in particular situations, especially bilateral lung transplantation. The closure technique remains challenging because clamshell incision can end with override, separation, or sternal pseudarthrosis complications. We describe the use of new absorbable sternal pins to stabilize the sternal closure and to help avoid additional sternal complications., (Copyright © 2017 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Atrial arrhythmias (AAs) are frequent after lung transplantation (LT) and late postoperatively. Several predictive factors of early postoperative AAs after LT have been identified but those of late AAs remain unknown. Whether AA after LT affects mortality is still being debated. This study assessed in a large cohort of LT patients the incidence of AAs early and late after surgery, their predictive factors and their effect on mortality.Methods and Results:We studied 271 consecutive LT patients over 9 years. Mean follow-up was 2.9±2.4 years. 33% patients developed postoperative AAs. Age (odds ratio (OR) 2.35; confidence interval (CI) [1.31-4.24]; P=0.004) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 2.13; CI [1.12-4.03]; P=0.02) were independent predictive factors of early AAs. Late AAs occurred 2.2±2.7 years after transplant in 8.8% of the patients. Pretransplant systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PTsPAP) was the only independent predictive factor of late AA (OR 1.028; CI [1.001-1.056]; P=0.04). Double LT was associated with long-term freedom from atrial fibrillation (AF) but not from atrial flutter (AFL). Early and late AAs after surgery had no effect on mortality. Double LT was associated with better survival., Conclusions: Early AA following LT is common in contrast with the low occurrence of late, often organized, AA. Early and late AAs do not affect mortality. PTsPAP is an independent predictor of late AA. Double LT protects against late AF but not AFL.

Background: After lung transplantation, bronchial complications are one of the major concerns for surgeons and physicians. In the era of evolving immunosuppressive regimens and surgical approaches, we have reassessed risk factors for bronchial complications after lung transplantation., Methods: We undertook a retrospective study of all consecutive lung transplantations performed at a single center from 2004 to 2014. We monitored the incidence of symptomatic bronchial complications. Demographic data of donors and recipients were also studied. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of 3 subsequent immunosuppressive regimens (including the use of induction therapy), and of a technical modification of bronchial anastomosis on the incidence of airway complications., Results: We performed 270 consecutive lung transplantations during the study period. On multivariate analysis, bronchial complications were not directly associated with the different immunosuppressive regimens. In subgroup analysis, when comparing different immunosuppressive regimens, primary graft dysfunction within 72 hours (odds ratio [OR] = 2.55; p = 0.08), lung infection within the first month (OR = 2.96; p = 0.039), diabetes before transplantation (OR = 2.66; p = 0.11) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 2.20; p = 0.04) appeared as major risk factors (c-index = 0.77 on multivariate analysis). The use of a modified bronchial suture technique was associated with fewer bronchial complications (OR = 0.47; p = 0.059) (c-index = 0.71 on multivariate analysis)., Conclusions: The mode of immunosuppression had no influence on airway complications. We were able to reproduce the beneficial effect of a modified suture technique., (Copyright © 2016 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: After lung transplantation (LT), early prediction of grade 3 pulmonary graft dysfunction (PGD) remains a research gap for clinicians. We hypothesized that it could be improved using extravascular lung water (EVLWi) and plasma biomarkers of acute lung injury., Methods: After institutional review board approval and informed consent, consecutive LT recipients were included. Transpulmonary thermodilution-based EVLWi, plasma concentrations of epithelial (soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts [sRAGE]) and endothelial biomarkers (soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and endocan [full-length and cleaved p14 fragment]) were obtained before and after LT (0 [H0], 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after pulmonary artery unclamping). Grade 3 PGD was defined according to the International Society for Lung and Heart Transplantation definition, combining arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2)/inspired fraction of oxygen (FiO2) ratio and chest X-rays. Association of clinical risk factors, EVLWi and biomarkers with grade 3 PGD was analyzed under the Bayesian paradigm, using logistic model and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs)., Results: In 47 LT recipients, 10 developed grade 3 PGD, which was obvious at H6 in 8 cases. Clinical risk factors, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and endocan (both forms) were not associated with grade 3 PGD. Significant predictors of grade 3 PGD included (1) EVLWi (optimal cutoff, 13.7 mL/kg; AUC, 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48-0.99), (2) PaO2/FiO2 ratio (optimal cutoff, 236; AUC, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.52-0.84), and (3) sRAGE (optimal cutoff, 11 760 pg/mL; AUC, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.41-0.91) measured at H0., Conclusions: Immediate postreperfusion increases in EVLWi and sRAGE along with impaired PaO2/FiO2 ratios were early predictors of grade 3 PGD at or beyond 6 hours and may trigger early therapeutic interventions.

Lung transplantation is the only life-saving treatment for end stage respiratory disease. The immediate outcome is still hampered by primary graft dysfunction. The latter is a form of acute lung injury occurring within the 30min following the unclamping of the pulmonary artery that prompts ischemia reperfusion injury. Severe forms may need prolonged mechanical ventilation and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation. Overall, primary graft dysfunction accounts for at least one third of the deaths during the first post-operative month. Despite increasing experience and knowledge on the underlying cellular events, there is still a lack of an early marker of ischemia reperfusion graft injuries. Microparticles are plasma membrane vesicles that are released from damaged or stressed cells in biological fluids and remodeling tissues, among which the lung parenchyma during acute or chronic injury. We recently evidenced alveolar microparticles as surrogate markers of strong ischemia injury in ex-vivo reperfusion experimental models. We propose herein new insights on how microparticles may be helpful to evaluate the extent of lung ischemia reperfusion injuries and predict the occurrence of primary graft dysfunction., (Copyright © 2016 American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We report a case of partial anomalous pulmonary venous return from the left upper lobe in a donor lung discovered during lung transplantation. The upper lobe vein could be implanted successfully into the donor atrial cuff to restore physiologic venous drainage. The abnormality was retrospectively identified on the donor's chest computed tomographic scan. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging performed in the recipient 6 months after transplantation demonstrated patent left pulmonary venous drainage. This is the third reported case of partial anomalous pulmonary venous return in a donor lung, but the first description of direct ex vivo suture into the donor cuff., (Copyright © 2015 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Risk factors for lung cancer in lung transplant recipients are a history of smoking and immunosuppression, to which adds increasing use of lungs from donors with a smoking history. The three typical presentations are incidental diagnosis on the explanted lung, concerning less than 2%; lung cancer developing on the lung graft, accounting for less than 1%; and incidence of lung cancer on the native lung, estimated at 9%. Treatment along available guidelines may be hampered by decreased lung function owing to chronic rejection or adverse effects of immunosuppression. Prognosis is comparable to a general population in resected stage I cancer and is less favorable in advanced stages., (Copyright © 2014 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly used as a bridge to lung transplantation (LTx). However, data concerning this approach remain limited., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients in France who received ECMO as a bridge to LTx from 2007 to 2011. Post-transplant survival and associated factors were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox model., Results: Included were 36 patients from 11 centers. Indications for LTx were cystic fibrosis (CF) in 20 (56%), pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in 11 (30%), and other diagnoses in 5 (14%). ECMO was venovenous for 27 patients (75%) and venoarterial for 9 (25%). Mean follow-up was 17 months. Bridging to LTx was achieved in 30 patients (83%); however, only 27 patients (75%) survived the LTx procedure, and 20 (56%) were discharged from hospital. From ECMO initiation, 2-year survival rates were 50.4% overall, 71.0% for CF patients, 27.3% for PF patients, and 20.0% for other patients (p < 0.001). From LTx, 2-year survival rates were 60.5% overall, 71.0% for CF patients, 42.9% for PF patients, and 33.0% for other patients (p = 0.04)., Conclusions: Our study confirms that the use of ECMO as a bridge to LTx in France could provide a medium-term survival benefit for LTx recipients with critical conditions. Survival differed by underlying respiratory disease. Larger studies are needed to further define the optimal use of ECMO., (Copyright © 2013 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A best evidence topic was constructed according to a structured protocol. The following question was addressed: of the following two procedures, heart–lung transplantation or bilateral-lung transplantation (BLTx), which offers the best outcome for patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) listed for thoracic transplantation? Of the 77 papers found using a report search for PH and thoracic transplantation, 9 represented the best evidence to answer this clinical question. Overall, 1189 (67%) lung transplantations and 578 (33%) heart–lung transplantations have been reported worldwide for idiopathic PH. For patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome, HLTx represents up to 70% of the transplantation procedures they undergo. On the whole, neither procedure demonstrated an overall survival benefit, when compared with the other. However, PH patients represent a heterogeneous population according to (i) the primary mechanism of PH and (ii) the consequences of PH on right or/and left heart function. With regard to the latter consideration, the current evidence shows that HLTx offers excellent functional and survival outcomes for patients with congenital heart disease and Eisenmenger's syndrome, severe right or/and left heart dysfunction, and who are chronically inotropic dependent. As far as heart dysfunction is concerned, the published evidence approximated cut-off values at 10–25% for the right ventricle ejection fraction (RVEF) and at 32–55% for the left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF). In the case of lower values for RVEF and LVEF, HLTx should be performed. In all other patients with PH, the evidence demonstrated that BLTx offers a comparable outcome with the advantage of better organ sharing for other recipients. In order to reduce the waiting time on transplantation lists, cardiac repair and BLTx can be offered in experienced centres to patients with simple cardiac anomalies such as atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus or perimembranous ventricular septal defect.

Objectives: Lung transplantation is the only life-saving treatment for end-stage respiratory disease. The outcome will depend on the graft quality, surgical conditions and recipient factors. Twinned single-lung transplantation defines as two different recipients treated with lung grafts from the same donor. Recipient-dependent factors of the outcome can be studied more accurately as the graft quality is supposed equal for both recipients., Methods: We reviewed all single-lung transplantations performed in France between 1998 and 2008 in the French registry run by the 'Agence de Biomédecine'. Criteria for donor lung quality and twinned recipient data were recorded in a database. The whole medical history and the transplantation outcome were reviewed for each patient and compared with its twin recipient. We compared twins on the basis of their opposed characteristics and on the basis of the opposed endpoint outcome. Endpoints were primary graft dysfunction (PGD) grade III, and mortality at 1, 3 and 12 months., Results: A total of 387 single-lung transplantations were performed in 10 French centres; 180 were twinned recipients from 90 donors. Statistical analysis revealed a significantly different outcome for PGD only. PGD was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in fibrosis recipients compared with emphysema twins. In 28 pairs (31%), the outcome was discordant for PGD, and fibrosis was significantly more often involved compared with emphysema (P = 0.04). Sixty-two pairs had a similar outcome: two pairs showed PGD in both recipients while 60 pairs were free of PGD., Conclusions: We conclude that recipient's disease is a major determinant of the outcome. Fibrosis is associated with an increased risk for PGD.

A best evidence topic was constructed according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether the presence of extended criteria donors influences the early and long-term results in patients referred for lung transplantation. Of the 30 papers found using a report search, 14 presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date, country of publication, study type, group studied, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are given. In total, we recorded 10 retrospective studies that considered all the donor criteria for comparing marginal donors (MDs) and standard donors. On the one hand, six of them showed no difference between the two groups in terms of early and long-term results. On the other hand, four studies demonstrated a negative impact of MDs on various early outcomes (mortality, primary graft dysfunction, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay in intensive care unit), whereas no significant negative influence on survival has ever been described when screening MD results. More precisely, when analysing the role of individual factors of marginality, as done in two of the 14 studies, a significant negative impact was observed for a low level of PaO(2) at the time of harvesting, positive bronchoscopy and smoking history. More specifically, the first two criteria have been validated by several authors, both in multicentre and cohort studies. Finally, the importance of avoiding the donation of the lung from an MD to a high-risk recipient emerged, whereas the association with single or bilateral transplants remains more controversial. Hence, current evidence suggests that there are no contraindications-given the absence of negative impact on survival-for the use of MDs for the transplant of a proposed standard receiver. However, given the low level of evidence of published studies, caution is necessary in order to avoid organ shortage, despite these encouraging results.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used for refractory respiratory failure. Normally, ECMO is implanted in intubated patients as a last resort. We report the case of a non-intubated patient who benefited from veno-venous (VV) ECMO. A 35-year old cystic fibrosis man presented a severe respiratory decompensation with refractory hypercapnia. We opted for an ECMO instead of mechanical ventilation (MV). We implanted a double lumen bi-cava cannula (DLC) (Avalon Elite(TM)) in the right jugular vein. Before ECMO implantation, the patient presented refractory respiratory failure (pH = 7.1, PaO(2) = 83 mmHg, PaCO(2 )= 103 mmHg). We proposed that the patient be placed on the high emergency lung transplantation waiting list after failure to wean him from ECMO. This registration was effective 10 days after ECMO implantation. The patient was grafted the next day. Under ECMO, mean PaO(2), PaCO(2) and TCA were 80.6 ± 14.2, 53.8 ± 6.4 mmHg and 56.2 ± 9.7 s, respectively. The patient could eat, drink, talk and practice chest physiotherapy. The evolution was uneventful under ECMO. Weaning from ECMO was done in the operating theatre after transplantation. VV ECMO with DLC is safe and feasible in non-intubated patients. It avoids potential complications of MV, and allows respiratory assistance as bridge to transplantation.

A best evidence topic was constructed according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether lung transplantation remained a beneficial treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients infected or colonized with Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) prior to lung transplantation (LTx). Of the 25 papers found using a report search, five presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, study type, group studied, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are given. We conclude that, on the whole, the five studies were clearly in favor of maintaining access to LTx lists for BCC infected or colonized CF patients. In other words, access to LTx should not be denied to BCC infected CF patients in that the beneficial effects of LTx do not differ with respect to non-infected patients: comparison showed neither a difference in survival nor a higher mortality risk. However, results would differ for Burkholderia cenocepacia infected CF patients prior to LTx: both short- and long-term survival are significantly lower when B. cenocepacia infected patients are compared to other BCC infected patients or non-infected patients. Hence, current evidence shows that careful screening of all BCC suspected CF patients and risk-aware multidisciplinary management should be achieved before listing patients for LTx. This would allow identification of different bacterial species (in particular, B. cenocepacia) present and optimize lung transplantation survival outcomes.

A best evidence topic was constructed according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether the use of preoperative or early postoperative thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is effective in improving outcomes--reducing duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay and respiratory complications--in patients undergoing lung transplantation (LTx). Of the 42 papers found using a report search, five presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, study type, group studied, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are given. We conclude that, on the whole, four out of the five retrieved studies clearly supported the use of TEA as the cornerstone of a multi-faceted strategy for improving outcomes after LTx. Indeed, the interest and benefit was shown not only in terms of duration of mechanical ventilation, but also in reducing the ICU length of stay and the number of respiratory complications. Hence, current evidence suggests TEA to be safe and effective in alleviating postoperative pain and in improving patient recovery, thus enhancing the choice of available medical care and bettering outcome after LTx. However, given the low level of evidence of published studies, prospective trials are warranted to confirm those encouraging results.

An editorial on the usage of extracorporeal life support (ELS) methods following a thoracic surgery, lung transplantation, and cardiorespiratory failure is presented. The authors talks about how ELS can provide short to mid-term extracorporeal mechanical support by helping in carbon dioxide (CO2) clearance, aiding oxygen (O2) enrichment and providing cardiocirculatory support. The authors also discuss the usage of Novalung lung assist device and Pumpless interventional lung assist device.

OBJECTIVES Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for respiratory support is increasingly used in intensive care units (ICU), but rarely during thoracic surgical procedures outside the transplantation setting. ECMO can be an alternative to cardiopulmonary bypass for major trachea-bronchial surgery and single-lung procedures without in-field ventilation. Our aim was to evaluate the intraoperative use of ECMO as respiratory support in thoracic surgery: benefits, indications and complications. METHODS This was a multicentre retrospective study (questionnaire) of use of ECMO as respiratory support during the thoracic surgical procedure. Lung transplantation and lung resection for tumour invading the great vessels and/or the left atrium were excluded, because they concern respiratory and circulatory support. RESULTS From March 2009 to September 2012, 17 of the 34 centres in France applied ECMO within veno-venous (VV) (n = 20) or veno-arterial (VA) (n = 16) indications in 36 patients. Ten VA ECMO were performed with peripheral cannulation and 6 with central cannulation; all VV ECMO were achieved through peripheral cannulation. Group 1 (total respiratory support) was composed of 28 patients without mechanical ventilation, involving 23 tracheo-bronchial and 5 single-lung procedures. Group 2 (partial respiratory support) was made up of 5 patients with respiratory insufficiency. Group 3 was made up of 3 patients who underwent thoracic surgery in a setting of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with preoperative ECMO. Mortality at 30 days in Groups 1, 2 and 3 was 7, 40 and 67%, respectively (P < 0.05). In Group 1, ECMO was weaned intraoperatively or within 24 h in 75% of patients. In Group 2, ECMO was weaned in ICU over several days. In Group 1, 2 patients with VA support were converted to VV support for chronic respiratory indications. Bleeding was the major complication with 17% of patients requiring return to theatre for haemostasis. There were two cannulation-related complications (6%). CONCLUSIONS VV or VA ECMO is a satisfactory alternative to in-field ventilation in complex tracheo-bronchial surgery or in single-lung surgery. ECMO should be considered and used in precarious postoperative respiratory conditions. Full respiratory support can be achieved with VV ECMO. Indications for and results of ECMO during surgery in patients with ARDS warrant further careful investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

OBJECTIVE To update the recommendations for the structural characteristics of general thoracic surgery (GTS) in Europe in order to provide a document that can be used as a guide for harmonizing the general thoracic surgical practice in Europe. METHODS A task force was created to set the structural, procedural and qualification characteristics of a European GTS unit. These criteria were endorsed by the Executive Committee of the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons and by the Thoracic Domain of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery and were validated by the European Board of Thoracic Surgery at European Union of Medical Specialists. RESULTS Criteria regarding definition and scope of GTS, structure and qualification of GTS unit, training and education and recommendations for subjects of particular interest (lung transplant, oesophageal surgery, minimally invasive thoracic surgery, quality surveillance) were developed. CONCLUSIONS This document will hopefully represent the first step of a process of revision of the modern thoracic surgeons' curricula, which need to be qualitatively rethought in the setting of the qualification process. The structural criteria highlighted in the present document are meant to help and tackle the challenge of cultural and language barriers as well as of widely varying national training programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]