Optimal Utilization of Donors Aged ≥65 Y in Lung Transplantation to Increase Donor Availability While Maintaining Comparable Posttransplant Outcomes

Among lung recipients aged 40-64 y, donor age ≥65 y double transplants yield survival at least matching that of donor age <65 y single transplants. Among recipients aged ≥65 y, donor age ≥65 y double or single transplants yield survival comparable to that of donor age <65 single transplants. Compared with donor age <65 y double transplants, donor age ≥65 y double transplants had only ≤10 mo shorter adjusted median survival, within recipients aged ≥40 y. Judiciously increasing utilization of donors aged ≥65 y within recipients aged ≥40 y can reduce deaths among patients needing a lung transplant by decreasing donor scarcity, while maintaining favorable posttransplant survival.