Clinical outcome after coronary artery revascularization and lung transplantation

Background. Presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in otherwise eligible lung transplant candidates is considered a contraindication to lung transplantation. We reviewed the clinical outcome of our experience in lung transplant recipients with operable coronary artery disease and normal left ventricular function. Methods. Medical records of all transplant recipients with coronary artery disease were reviewed. Data analyzed include demographics, coronary angiograms, coronary artery revascularization procedure, and clinical outcome after lung transplantation. Results. Between April 1992 and August 2001, 354 lung transplant procedures were performed. Eighteen patients (5%) had significant CAD (greater than 50% stenoses). Six male patients (mean age 59 years) underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty/stent and after lung transplantation all were discharged after a median hospital stay of 8.5 days. All recipients are alive at a median follow-up time of 14.5 months after their transplant. Twelve male patients (mean age 58 years) had combined coronary artery bypass grafting and lung transplantation. All recipients were discharged after a median hospital stay of 16 days. Nine recipients are alive at a median follow-up time of 7.5 months after transplant. One-year survival by the Kaplan-Meier method is 88% for the 18 patients with coronary artery disease who underwent revascularization and lung transplantation. Conclusions. Despite the traditional criteria of excluding all eligible transplant candidates due to coronary artery disease, coronary revascularization in select candidates with favorable anatomy and normal left ventricular function can allow patients to undergo lung transplantation with acceptable outcomes.