Esophageal Function Testing Patterns in the Evaluation and Management of Lung Transplantation: Results of a National Survey

Goals: We surveyed esophageal motility laboratories affiliated with adult pulmonary transplant centers to determine esophageal function testing (EFT) practices. Background: Gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal dysmotility are associated with worse lung transplant outcomes, yet no consensus guidelines for EFT exist in this population. Study: A deidentified online survey was sent to gastrointestinal motility laboratory directors of 49 academic and community-affiliated medical centers that perform lung transplants. Practice characteristics, including annual lung transplant volume and institutional EFT practices pre-lung transplantation and post-lung transplantation were queried. Respondents were categorized by transplant volume into small and large programs based on median annual volume. Results: Among 35 respondents (71% response rate), the median annual transplant volume was 37, and there were 18 large programs. Institutional EFT protocols were used pretransplant by 24 programs (68.6%) and post-transplant by 12 programs (34.2%). Among small and large programs, 52.9% and 72.2% always obtained high-resolution manometry before transplant, respectively. Endoscopy before transplant was performed more often in small programs (n=17, 100%) compared with large programs (n=15,83.3%). Pretransplant endoscopy (P=0.04), barium esophagram (P<0.01), and high-resolution manometry (P=0.04) were more common than post-transplant. In contrast, post-transplant reflux monitoring off-therapy was more common than pretransplant (P=0.01). In general, pulmonologists direct referrals for EFT and gastroenterology consultation (n=28, 80.0%), with symptoms primarily prompting testing. Conclusions: In the absence of established guidelines, substantial variability exists in pretransplant and post-transplant EFT, directed by pulmonologists. Standardized EFT protocols and gastroenterologist-directed management of esophageal dysfunction has potential to improve lung transplant outcomes.