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Karger Publishers, Respiration, 2(89), p. 107-111, 2015

DOI: 10.1159/000368368

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Coronary Artery Disease in Lung Transplant Candidates: Role of Routine Invasive Assessment

This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> An atherosclerotic disease burden sufficient to put lung transplant candidates at risk for end-organ disease after transplantation is considered to be a relative contraindication for lung transplantation. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The aim of this study was to assess our current practice of cardiac workup by coronary angiography in lung transplant candidates ≥50 years of age. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We retrospectively analyzed 50 consecutive lung transplant candidates ≥50 years of age in which coronary angiography was performed at the University Hospital Zurich (2009-2013). For every patient, the risk of developing an acute coronary event was estimated by using a recalibrated version of the PROCAM study calculator for the Swiss population. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The median estimated risk of developing an acute coronary event within 10 years in the study cohort (n = 50) was 4.2% (interquartile range 1.9-7.6), which is considered to be a low risk. Sixteen percent of patients were considered to be at intermediate risk. In 66% of patients, coronary angiography showed no coronary artery disease (CAD). In 28% of patients, CAD without significant stenosis was diagnosed. In 6% of patients, significant coronary stenosis was detected requiring percutaneous coronary intervention. No correlation between the coronary status and the risk score or cardiovascular risk profile was found. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The high prevalence of asymptomatic CAD in lung transplant candidates without correlation to a common clinical risk score supports the important role of coronary angiography for the assessment of coronary artery status. This approach might prevent cardiovascular events and improve long-term survival after transplantation.