Faculty Collaboration Database

Pepsin concentrations are elevated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis after lung transplantation. J Surg Res 2013 Dec;185(2):e101-8

Date

07/13/2013

Pubmed ID

23845868

Pubmed Central ID

PMC4306555

DOI

10.1016/j.jss.2013.06.011

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84891701384 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   40 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Aspiration of gastroesophageal refluxate has been implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and the progression of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation. The goals of the present study were to identify lung transplant patients at the greatest risk of aspiration and to investigate the causative factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2009 to November 2011, 252 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were collected from 100 lung transplant patients. The BALF pepsin concentrations and the results of transbronchial biopsy, esophageal function testing, barium swallow, and gastric emptying scan were compared among those with the most common end-stage lung diseases requiring lung transplantation: IPF, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, and α1-antitrypsin deficiency.

RESULTS: Patients with IPF had higher BALF pepsin concentrations and a greater frequency of acute rejection than those with α1-antitrypsin deficiency, cystic fibrosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 0.037). Moreover, the BALF pepsin concentrations correlated negatively with a lower esophageal sphincter pressure and distal esophageal amplitude; negatively with distal esophageal amplitude and positively with total esophageal acid time, longest reflux episode, and DeMeester score in those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and negatively with the upright acid clearance time in those with IPF.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that patients with IPF after lung transplantation are at increased risk of aspiration and a greater frequency of acute rejection episodes, and that the risk factors for aspiration might be different among those with the most common end-stage lung diseases who have undergone lung transplantation. These results support the role of evaluating the BALF for markers of aspiration in assessing lung transplant patients as candidates for antireflux surgery.

Author List

Davis CS, Mendez BM, Flint DV, Pelletiere K, Lowery E, Ramirez L, Love RB, Kovacs EJ, Fisichella PM

Author

Christopher Stephen Davis MD, MPH Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Bronchiolitis Obliterans
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
Female
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Lung Transplantation
Male
Manometry
Middle Aged
Pepsin A
Pneumonia, Aspiration
Postoperative Complications
Risk Factors