Gastroparesis after Lung Transplantation: Prevalence, Reversibility and Relation with Outcome

• Published in: The Journal of heart and lung transplantation Vol. 32; no. 4; p. S264
• Main Authors: Smit, J, Glaudemans, A.W.J.M, van der Bij, W, Erasmus, M.E, Verschuuren, E.A.M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.04.2013
• Subjects: Surgery
• ISSN: 1053-2498; 1557-3117
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2013.01.688

Purpose Gastroparesis a known complication after lung transplantation is related to gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and might as such be responsible for Bronchiolitis Obliterans syndrome (BOS).We studied the prevalence, risk factors and reversibility of gastroparesis in our LTx patients and relation with longterm outcome. Methods and Materials 108 patients transplanted from 2006 to 2010, who underwent at least one gastric emptying scintigraphy were included. Routine scintigraphy was done 1 month and 6 months after lung transplantation. Results 54 out of 108 patients had delayed gastric emptying of >90minutes 1 month after lung transplantation. Median gastric emptying time was 204 minutes (93-807) versus 64 minutes(17-90) in the normal group. Patients with delayed emptying were younger 45.4 yrs (20-63yrs) vs 52.69 yrs(18-67 yrs), had more often CF (18,5% vs 5,6%) or pulmonary fibrosis (22,2 % vs 14,8%). No relation was found between gastroparesis and operation type, duration of operation, use of cardiopulmonary bypass, sex, or diabetes. At 6 months 27 of the 54 patients still had delayed gastric emptying. They were compared to 40 patients with normal gastric emptying results in both tests. No relation with mortality (14,8% vs 18,4%) or BOS (25,9% vs 23,7) was found. Conclusions Half of the patients after lung transplantation have gastroparesis, and in half of them this spontaneously resolves. Age, CF and pulmonary fibrosis are risk factors for gastroparesis. No relation with BOS was found. [ figure 1 ] NT=not tested.