University of Alberta
Objective: To evaluate the potential impact of molecular phenotyping of transbronchial biopsies in lung transplant recipients with allograft dysfunction, and the potential for developing a safer endobronchial mucosal biopsy format.
The current standard for biopsy-based diagnoses of dysfunction of lung transplants is the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) classification applied to transbronchial biopsies, which represents an arbitrary international consensus. Recent data-driven approaches using molecular and conventional technologies indicate that this system produces frequently incorrect diagnoses with potential harm to patients due to inappropriate treatment. especially in relationship to the correct diagnosis of chronic lung allograft dysfunction is a pressing need. To address this unmet ne…
Inclusion Criteria: * All lung transplant recipients undergoing a biopsy as determined by their surgeon or physician. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who declined participation or unable to give informed consent.
In the second phase of the study, two biopsy bites from the same patient will be collected to assess tissue sampling variability.