Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Lung Transplantation

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (06) ◽  
pp. 862-873
Author(s):  
Mark Greer ◽  
Tobias Welte

AbstractLung transplantation (LTx) has been a viable option for patients with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with more than 20,000 procedures performed worldwide. Survival after LTx lags behind most other forms of solid-organ transplantation, with median survival for COPD recipients being a sobering 6.0 years. Given the limited supply of suitable donor organs, not all patients with end-stage COPD are candidates for LTx. We discuss appropriate criteria for accepting patients for LTx, as well as contraindications and exclusionary criteria. In the first year post-LTx, infection and graft failure are the leading causes of death. Beyond this chronic graft rejection—currently referred to as chronic lung allograft dysfunction—represents the leading cause of death at all time points, with infection and over time malignancy also limiting survival. Referral of COPD patients to a lung transplant center should be considered in the presence of progressing disease despite maximal medical therapy. As a rule of thumb, a forced expiratory volume in 1 second < 25% predicted in the absence of exacerbation, hypoxia (PaO2 < 60 mm Hg/8 kPa), and/or hypercapnia (PaCO2 > 50 mm Hg/6.6 kPa) and satisfactory general clinical condition should be considered the basic prerequisites for timely referral. We also discuss salient issues post-LTx and factors that impact posttransplant survival and morbidity such as infections, malignancy, renal insufficiency, and complications associated with long-term immunosuppression.

CHEST Journal ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 533-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Emery ◽  
Joseph L. Graif ◽  
Kathryn Hale ◽  
Frazier Eales ◽  
Thomas J. Von Rueden ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 377-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Alberto Neder ◽  
Flavio F. Arbex ◽  
Maria Clara N. Alencar ◽  
Conor D.J. O’Donnell ◽  
Julia Cory ◽  
...  

Ventilatory inefficiency during exercise is a key pathophysiological feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Currently, it is unknown how this physiological marker relates to clinically relevant outcomes as resting ventilatory impairment progresses across disease stages.Slope and intercept of the linear region of the ventilation–carbon dioxide output relationship and the ratio between these variables, at the lowest point (nadir), were contrasted in 316 patients with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages 1–4 (forced expiratory volume in 1 s, ranging from 148% pred to 12% pred) and 69 aged- and gender-matched controls,Compared to controls, slope and intercept were higher in GOLD stages 1 and 2, leading to higher nadirs (p<0.05). Despite even larger intercepts in GOLD stages 3 and 4, slopes diminished as disease evolved (from mean±sd35±6 in GOLD stage 1 to 24±5 in GOLD stage 3, p<0.05). As a result, there were no significant differences in nadirs among patient groups. Higher intercepts, across all stages (p<0.01), and to a lesser extent lower slopes in GOLD stages 2–4 (p<0.05), were related to greater mechanical constraints, worsening pulmonary gas exchange, higher dyspnoea scores, and poorer exercise capacity.Increases in the ventilation intercept best indicate the progression of exercise ventilatory inefficiency across the whole spectrum of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease severity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 269
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Zinellu ◽  
Alessandro G. Fois ◽  
Elisabetta Sotgiu ◽  
Sabrina Mellino ◽  
Arduino A. Mangoni ◽  
...  

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition characterized by chronic airway inflammation and lung parenchyma damage. Systemic inflammation and oxidative stress also play a role in the pathogenesis of COPD. Serum albumin is a negative acute-phase protein with antioxidant effects and an important marker of malnutrition. The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate differences in serum albumin concentrations between patients with stable COPD and non-COPD subjects. Methods: A systematic search was conducted, using the terms “albumin” and “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease” or “COPD”, in the electronic databases PubMed and Web of Science, from inception to May 2020. Results: Twenty-six studies were identified on a total of 2554 COPD patients and 2055 non-COPD controls. Pooled results showed that serum albumin concentrations were significantly lower in COPD patients (standard mean difference, SMD = −0.50, 95% CI −0.67 to −0.32; p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in SMD of serum albumin concentrations between COPD patients with forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (FEV1) < 50% and those with FEV1 > 50%. Conclusions: Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that serum albumin concentrations are significantly lower in patients with stable COPD compared to non-COPD controls. This supports the presence of a deficit in systemic anti-inflammatory and antioxidant defense mechanisms in COPD.


2009 ◽  
Vol 106 (6) ◽  
pp. 1902-1908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Rodríguez-Roisin ◽  
Mitra Drakulovic ◽  
Diego A. Rodríguez ◽  
Josep Roca ◽  
Joan Albert Barberà ◽  
...  

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by a decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and, in many advanced patients, by arterial hypoxemia with or without hypercapnia. Spirometric and gas exchange abnormalities have not been found to relate closely, but this may reflect a narrow range of severity in patients studied. Therefore, we assessed the relationship between pulmonary gas exchange and airflow limitation in patients with COPD across the severity spectrum. Ventilation-perfusion (V̇A/Q̇) mismatch was measured using the multiple inert gas elimination technique in 150 patients from previous studies. The distribution of patients according to the GOLD stage of COPD was: 15 with stage 1; 40 with stage 2; 32 with stage 3; and 63 with stage 4. In GOLD stage 1, AaPo2 and V̇A/Q̇ mismatch were clearly abnormal; thereafter, hypoxemia, AaPo2, and V̇A/Q̇ imbalance increased, but the changes from GOLD stages 1–4 were modest. Postbronchodilator FEV1 was related to PaO2 ( r = 0.62) and PaCO2 ( r = −0.59) and to overall V̇A/Q̇ heterogeneity ( r = −0.48) ( P < 0.001 each). Pulmonary gas exchange abnormalities in COPD are related to FEV1 across the spectrum of severity. V̇A/Q̇ imbalance, predominantly perfusion heterogeneity, is disproportionately greater than airflow limitation in GOLD stage 1, suggesting that COPD initially involves the smallest airways, parenchyma, and pulmonary vessels with minimal spirometric disturbances. That progression of V̇A/Q̇ inequality with spirometric severity is modest may reflect pathogenic processes that reduce both local ventilation and blood flow in the same regions through airway and alveolar disease and capillary involvement.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 248-257
Author(s):  
H. Edward Davidson ◽  
Peter Radlowski ◽  
Lisa Han ◽  
Theresa I. Shireman ◽  
Carole Dembek ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: To describe clinical characteristics, medication use, and low peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) (< 60 L/min) prevalence in nursing facility residents with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PATIENTS AND SETTING: Residents 60 years of age and older with a COPD diagnosis and≥ 6 months' nursing facility residence, were enrolled between December 2017 and February 2019 from 26 geographically varied United States nursing facilities. OUTCOME MEASURES: Data, extracted from residents' charts, included demographic/clinical characteristics, COPD-related medications, exacerbations and hospitalizations within the past 6 months, and functional status from the most recent Minimum Data Set. At enrollment, residents completed the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale and COPD Assessment Test (CAT™). Spirometry and PIFR were also assessed. RESULTS: Residents' (N = 179) mean age was 78.0 ± 10.6 years, 63.7% were female, and 57.0% had low PIFR. Most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (79.9%), depression (49.2%), and heart failure (41.9%). The average forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV11) % predicted was 45.9% ± 20.9%. On the CAT, 78.2% scored≥ 10 and on the mMRC Dyspnea Scale, 74.1% scored≥ 2, indicating most residents had high COPD symptom burden. Only 49.2% were receiving a scheduled long-acting bronchodilator (LABD). Among those with low PIFR prescribed a LABD, > 80% used dry powder inhalers for medication delivery. CONCLUSION: This study highlights underutilization of scheduled LABD therapy in nursing facility residents with COPD. Low PIFR was prevalent in residents while the majority used suboptimal medication delivery devices. The findings highlight opportunities for improving management and outcomes for nursing facility residents with COPD.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 811-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitris Spathis ◽  
Panayiotis Vlamos

This study examines the clinical decision support systems in healthcare, in particular about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases, such as Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The empirical pulmonology study of a representative sample (n = 132) attempts to identify the major factors that contribute to the diagnosis of these diseases. Machine learning results show that in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease’s case, Random Forest classifier outperforms other techniques with 97.7 per cent precision, while the most prominent attributes for diagnosis are smoking, forced expiratory volume 1, age and forced vital capacity. In asthma’s case, the best precision, 80.3 per cent, is achieved again with the Random Forest classifier, while the most prominent attribute is MEF2575.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoko Azuma ◽  
Atsushi Sano ◽  
Takashi Sakai ◽  
Satoshi Koezuka ◽  
Hajime Otsuka ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important risk factor for postoperative complications and mortality. The utility of several perioperative bronchodilators in patients with COPD requiring surgery for lung cancer has been reported, but the most suitable agent and its specific effect on postoperative long-term prognosis remain unclear. To determine the effects of perioperative combination therapy, using a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) and a long-acting β2 agonist (LABA), on preoperative lung function, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and long-term outcome in COPD patients.Methods: Between January 2005 and October 2019, 130 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed COPD underwent surgery for lung cancer. We conducted a retrospective review of their medical records. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to perioperative management: LAMA/LABA (n=64), LAMA (n=23) and rehabilitation only (no bronchodilator) (n=43). Results: Patients who received preoperative LAMA/LABA therapy showed significant improvement in lung function before surgery (p<0.001 for both forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1 %pred). Compared with patients who received preoperative LAMA therapy, patients with LAMA/LABA therapy had significantly improved lung function (ΔFEV1, 223.1 mL vs 130.0 mL, ΔFEV1 %pred, 10.8% vs 6.8%; both p<0.05). There was a trend toward a lower incidence of postoperative complications in the LAMA/LABA group compared with the LAMA and rehabilitation-only groups. In patients with moderate to severe air flow limitation (n=61), those who received LAMA/LABA therapy had significantly longer overall survival and disease-free survival compared with patients in the other groups. Perioperative LAMA/LABA therapy was also associated with lower recurrence rates. Conclusions: Patients who receive perioperative LAMA/LABA for moderate to severe COPD have improved prognosis and better pulmonary function with surgery for lung cancer. We believe this treatment combination is optimal for patients with lung cancer and COPD.


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