The Impact of Restricted Chests on Long-Term Lung Function Parameters Following Lung Transplantation in Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease 

This study explores how disparities between actual and predicted total lung capacity (TLC) in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) affect lung function parameters and long-term outcomes after lung transplantation. A total of 170 ILD patients who underwent lung transplantation between 2011 and 2022 were included. They were stratified based on the preoperative median ratio of recipient actual to predicted (a/p) TLC. Of these, 85 patients had a low a/p TLC ratio corresponding to <0.55, while the remaining 85 patients had a high a/p TLC ratio of ≥0.55. There were no significant differences between the two groups in tracheostomy and reintubation rates, mechanical ventilation duration, ICU and hospital stays, or five-year overall survival. Although early post-LTx lung function was better in the high a/p TLC ratio group, long-term outcomes were similar in both groups. These findings may suggest remodeling of chest wall compliance in severely restricted ILD patients after LTx.