Management and Outcomes of Kidney Transplant Candidates With Severe Pulmonary Hypertension: A Single-center Strategy and Experience.

Background: Severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with high mortality posttransplant and thus is considered a contraindication to kidney transplantation. In this study, we describe the pretransplant management and posttransplant outcomes in patients with severe PH using a multidisciplinary approach. Methods: Between 11 of 2013 and 8 of 2022, we identified all patients with severe PH on initial pretransplant workup who underwent ultrafiltration (UF) or medical therapy for PH before transplant. Posttransplant we evaluated the perioperative course, renal function, graft, and patient survival. We compared survival to those who remained waitlisted or were delisted. Results: Three-two patients (mean age = 55.03 ± 10.22 y) diagnosed with severe PH on pretransplant screening echocardiogram. Thirty patients (94%) were subjected to a median of 4 (range, 3-8) UF sessions with an average weight loss of 4.33 ± 2.6 kg. Repeat assessment of PH revealed a decline in mean pulmonary artery systolic pressure from 67 ± 12 mm Hg to 43 ± 13 mm Hg ( Conclusion: In this single-center study, we report postcapillary PH can be a significant contributor to elevations in pulmonary artery systolic pressure. Using a multidisciplinary approach, PH can improve with volume removal and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors therapy leading to a successful posttransplant outcome.