Characterization and Risk Factors for Readmission and Emergency Department Presentations in Dual Liver-Lung Transplantation Patients

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

8-1-2025

Publication Title

Am J Transplant

Abstract

Purpose: Dual liver-lung transplantation (DLLT) is a rare procedure, with limited data characterizing patient demographics, risk factors, and post-transplant outcomes, particularly regarding hospital readmissions and emergency department (ED) presentations. This study aims to assess the rates of hospital readmission, ED presentations, and associated risk factors in DLLT recipients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients at our center who underwent DLLT between 2013 and 2024. Demographics, transplant indications, length of stay, acute rejection, causes of readmission, and ED presentations were analyzed. Readmission rates were categorized as occurring within 0-3 months and between 3 months and 1 year post-transplant. Mortality outcomes were also assessed. Results: Ten patients (5 male, 5 female) with a mean age of 53.7 years underwent DLLT. Liver disease etiologies were ethanol-related cirrhosis (n=2), hepatitis C (n=1), cryptogenic cirrhosis (n=1), autoimmune hepatitis (n=1), cystic fibrosis (n=1), and other unspecified causes (n=4). Lung transplant indications included idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n=5), pulmonary hypertension (n=2), interstitial lung disease (n=2), and cystic fibrosis (n=1). All patients (100%) were readmitted within 3 months, and 40% experienced additional readmissions within the first year. The most common causes of early readmissions (0-3 months) included infections (40%), diarrhea (20%), critical illness myopathy (20%), rejection (10%), and biliary stricture (10%). ED presentations within 1 year occurred in 50% of patients, with leading causes including melena (n=2), tachycardia (n=1), fever (n=1), and gastrostomy tube dysfunction (n=1). Initial length of stay, lung transplant etiology, liver disease etiology, and age at transplantation were not associated with readmission or ED presentation rates (p>0.05). Two patients (20%) died within 10 years post-transplant, one at 4 years and one at 8 years. Readmission within 1 year was not significantly associated with mortality at 5 or 10 years. Conclusions: DLLT recipients experience high rates of early readmission, with infections being the leading cause. ED presentations are common, with gastrointestinal and infectious concerns predominating. No significant associations were found between transplant etiology, initial hospital stay, or age at transplantation and readmission or ED presentation rates. Long-term mortality was not associated with early readmission. These findings underscore the need for enhanced post-transplant surveillance and targeted interventions to mitigate early complications. CITATION INFORMATION: Saleem A., Obri M., Ilyas O., Alomari A., Faisal M., Omeish H., Chaudhary A., Nagai S., Franco-Palacios D., Venkat D., Jafri S. Characterization and Risk Factors for Readmission and Emergency Department Presentations in Dual Liver-Lung Transplantation Patients AJT, Volume 25, Issue 8 Supplement 1 DISCLOSURES: A. Saleem: None.

Volume

25

Issue

8

First Page

S468

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