Clinical impact of preoperative diaphragm dysfunction on early outcomes and ventilation function in lung transplant: a single-center retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Clinical impact of preoperative diaphragm dysfunction on lung transplantation has not been studied. We aimed to evaluate how preoperative diaphragm dysfunction affects clinical outcomes and ventilation function after transplantation. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 102 patients. Ultrasound for diagnosis of diaphragm dysfunction was performed on all patients both before and after lung transplantation. The primary outcome was to compare prolonged mechanical ventilation after transplantation according to the preoperative diaphragm dysfunction. Secondary outcomes compared global inhomogeneity index and lung volume after transplantation. Multivariate regression analysis were used to evaluate the association between preoperative diaphragm dysfunction and prolonged mechanical ventilation after transplantation. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients (32.4%) had preoperative diaphragm dysfunction, and half of them (n = 18) recovered their diaphragm function after transplantation. In contrast, 15 patients (45.5%) showed postoperative diaphragm dysfunction. The ratio of prolonged mechanical ventilation after transplantation was significantly higher in the preoperative diaphragm dysfunction group (p = 0.035). The postoperative durations of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit and hospital stays were higher in the preoperative diaphragm dysfunction group, respectively (p < 0.05). In the multivariate regression analysis, preoperative diaphragm dysfunction was significantly associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation after transplantation (Odds ratio 2.79, 95% confidence interval 1.07–7.32, p = 0.037). As well, the preoperative diaphragm dysfunction group showed more inhomogeneous ventilation (p < 0.05) and lower total lung volume (p < 0.05) after transplantation. In addition, at 1 month and 3 months after transplantation, FVC was significantly lower in the preoperative diaphragm dysfunction group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative diaphragm dysfunction was associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation after lung transplantation. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40560-022-00614-7.