Pulmonary vein gas analysis for assessing donor lung function

Background. Radial artery oxygenation (PaO2) is the standard method for assessing potential lung donors. This study was proposed to assess the use of pulmonary vein gases (PvO(2)) in selection of donor lung for transplantation. Methods. We studied 170 lungs from 85 consecutive donors. Lungs were classified into group A, PaO2 and PvO(2) > 300 mm Hg; group B, PaO2 < 300 mm Hg, and PvO(2) > 300 min Hg; and group C, PvO(2) < 300 mm Hg. Results. Lungs retrieved from group A and group B were used for transplantation. Allograft function, assessed by the arterial and alveolar oxygen tension ratio, was similar at 12 hours and at 24 hours after operation (0.69, 0.73, vs 0.70, 0.71, for groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.8, 0.7, respectively). Similar radiologic appearance was seen in both groups (p = 0.2). Median duration of intubation was also similar (p = 0.6). The 30-day mortality rate was 12% versus 11.3% (p = 0.8), and 1-year survival rate was 80% versus 82% (P = 0.8) for recipient received lungs from group A and B donors, respectively. Conclusions. Selective pulmonary veins analysis gives an accurate assessment of individual gas exchange in comparison with arterial PaO2, identifying more potential donor lungs for transplantation.