Characteristics and outcomes of intensive care readmissions within first year of lung transplantation: tertiary care center experience and current literature status

<bold>Background:</bold> Few articles in the literature assess the ICU readmission of lung recipients. This study aims to assess the risk factors, characteristics, and outcomes associated with ICU readmission in lung transplant recipients within the first year. <bold>Study Design and Methods:</bold> This was a retrospective observational study where electronic medical records of all patients 18 years of age or older who underwent lung transplantation (>30 days ago) at KFSH&RC and were readmitted to the ICU between January 2013 and January 2022 were reviewed for the following data: demographics, preoperative and intraoperative variables, initial ICU admission, clinical data at readmission, length of stay, mortality and mechanical ventilation use and duration. <bold>Results:</bold> 20 patients were included in the analysis. The most common indication for transplantation in readmitted patients was COPD, with pneumonia being the most common cause of readmission. Although males accounted for the majority (85%) of readmitted patients, gender was not associated with an increased risk of ICU readmission. Our study reported the lowest rate (11%) of ICU readmissions in the literature, with a 35% mortality rate. 70% of the patients needed ventilation support, with a mean duration of 9.7 days. In our study, the use of vasopressors as well as the longer duration of the ICU stay were associated with mortality. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Mortality is high in lung recipients readmitted to the ICU within the first year of transplantation, with length of ICU stay and vasopressor use being associated with higher mortality.