Survival analysis in a high-altitude lung transplant program: insights from a real-life observational study

Objective: Survival in lung transplantation (LT) may be influenced by recipient-related variables, donor factors, donor-recipient interaction, surgical approach, and medical center expertise. The objective of this study was to describe the sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and survival of patients who have undergone LT. Method: We conducted an observational analysis between 2014 and 2022. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method at the 1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th years of follow-up post-transplantation. Results: We analyzed data from 50 subjects, of whom 56% (28/50) were men, with a median age of 54 years (interquartile range: 39-59). The unadjusted survival rates post lung transplantation were 81.4% at 12-months, 65.8% at 3-years, and 53.6% at 5-years. Excluding mortality attributed to COVID-19, survival rates were 78.2% at 12-months, 68.8% at 3-years, and 63.5% at 5-years. The survival of pulmonary fibrosis with a non-usual interstitial pneumonia (N-UIP) pattern was 85% at 1 year and 54% at 5 years, while pulmonary fibrosis with a usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern demonstrated a solid survival rate of 80% at 1 year and 60% at 5 years. Conclusions: Patients with pulmonary fibrosis with a N-UIP pattern demonstrated superior survival after 1 year of follow-up, while those with pulmonary fibrosis with a UIP pattern described the highest survival at the 5^th year. COVID-19 decreased long-term survival in transplant patients.