Abstract
BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to investigate the association between ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) use and inpatient hospitalization cost for lung transplantation in a nationwide sample. METHODS: Lung transplantation patients in 2018-2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) were grouped based on use of EVLP. The primary outcome was total inpatient hospitalization cost. 1:2 propensity score matching by EVLP status was performed followed by multivariable linear regression to determine the association between inpatient cost and EVLP while adjusting for pre-transplant hospital days, high volume EVLP center status, and propensity score. RESULTS: There were 3902 lung transplants and 118 (3%) were recipients of EVLP lungs. Among EVLP patients, the median cost was $871 468 (IQR: $608 671-1 274 392), compared to $846 516 (IQR: $531 462-1 439 267, p = 0.871) among the total non-EVLP cohort. After 1:2 propensity score-matched cohort, recipients of EVLP lungs had longer median hospital length of stay (p = 0.046). In the multivariable model using the matched sample, increased cost was not associated with EVLP use (p = 0.783); however, high volume EVLP centers were associated with decreased cost (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: EVLP use was not associated with greater inpatient costs and may be favorable at high volume centers.