Lung transplantation in the Lung Allocation Score era: Medium-term analysis from a single center

In 2005, the Lung Allocation Score (LAS) was implemented as the allocation system for lungs in the US. We sought to compare 5-year lung transplant outcomes before and after the institution of the LAS. Between 2000 and 2011, 501 adult patients were identified, with 132 from January 2000 to April 2005 (Pre-LAS era) and 369 from May 2005 to December 2011 (Post-LAS era). Kruskal-Wallis or chi-squared test was used to determine significance between groups. Survival was censored at 5 years. Overall, the post-LAS era was associated with more restrictive lung disease, higher LAS scores, shorter wait-list times, more preoperative immunosuppression, and more single lung transplantation. In addition, post-LAS patients had higher O-2 requirements with greater preoperative pulmonary impairment. Postoperatively, 30-day mortality improved in post-LAS era (1.6% vs 5.3%, P = .048). During the pre- and post-LAS eras, 5-year survival was 52.3% and 55.3%, respectively (P = .414). The adjusted risk of mortality was not different in the post-LAS era (P = .139). Freedom from chronic lung allograft dysfunction was significantly higher in the post-LAS era (P = .002). In this single-center report, implementation of the LAS score has led to allocation to sicker patients without decrement in short- or medium-term outcomes. Freedom from CLAD at 5 years is improving after LAS implementation.