Effect of Total Psoas Muscle Area and Serum Albumin on Outcomes After Lung Transplantation
Recommended Citation
Franco-Palacios DJ, Franco-Palacios CR, Crowley S, Allenspach LL, Stagner L, Corrales JP, Olexsey K, Waynick L, Simanovski J, Bhatti H, Laier R, Myszenski A, Wang Y, Lu M, and Song T. Effect of Total Psoas Muscle Area and Serum Albumin on Outcomes After Lung Transplantation. Clin Transplant 2025;39(9):e70308.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2025
Publication Title
Clinical transplantation
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia of the psoas muscle and hypoalbuminemia indicate poor nutritional status, inflammation, and frailty in lung transplant (LT) candidates, correlating with worse post-transplant outcomes.
METHODS: Retrospective study of LT recipients (2015-2023) examining the association of total psoas muscle area (TPA) and serum albumin with hospital stay, survival, and pulmonary function.
RESULTS: One hundred thirty-two LT recipients (mean age 59.56 ± 10.65 years, BMI 26.73 ± 5.55 kg/m(2), 65% males), 95% underwent bilateral LT. Higher TPA was associated with shorter hospital and ICU stays (p = 0.001). Similarly, higher albumin levels were associated with reduced hospital and ICU stays (p < 0.001). Hospital survivors had higher TPA (17.5 ± 6.1 vs. 14.6 ± 5.2 cm(2), p = 0.02) and higher albumin levels (3.25 ± 0.73 vs. 2.75 ± 0.85 mg/dL, p = 0.01). Long-term survivors had higher TPA (17.8 ± 6.35 vs. 15.9 ± 5.51 cm(2), p = 0.07) and higher albumin levels (3.29 ± 0.75 vs. 2.97 ± 0.78 mg/dL, p = 0.01). On multivariate analysis, albumin and male gender remained independent predictors of hospital and long-term survival. TPA was positively associated with post-transplant pulmonary function based on FVC and FEV1 (p < 0.001), while albumin levels showed no association.
CONCLUSION: In the present study of LT recipients, higher TPA and albumin levels were linked to shorter hospitalization, and albumin independently predicted survival. TPA, but not albumin, was associated with pulmonary function post-transplant.
Medical Subject Headings
Humans; Male; Lung Transplantation; Female; Retrospective Studies; Middle Aged; Psoas Muscles; Prognosis; Serum Albumin; Follow-Up Studies; Sarcopenia; Survival Rate; Postoperative Complications; Risk Factors; Graft Survival; Aged; Length of Stay
PubMed ID
40932471
Volume
39
Issue
9
First Page
70308
Last Page
70308
