Advanced body composition imaging to improve outcomes in lung transplantation

Summary

This project aims to improve lung transplant outcomes by using advanced body composition imaging (CT-measured adipose distribution) to better assess patient risk for pre-transplant mortality, primary graft dysfunction (PGD), and post-transplant survival.

What they want

The project will retrospectively collect clinical CT scans from the multi-center Lung Transplant Outcomes Group (LTOG) cohort, including all subjects evaluated for transplant. Researchers will measure adipose distribution from these CTs and establish metrics that predict 2-year survival without transplant (Aim 1), identify recipients at high risk of PGD (Aim 2), and improve discrimination of post-transplant survival (Aim 3). Findings will be externally validated in a cohort at WashU.

Deliverables

Metrics of adipose distribution that predict 2-year survival without transplant
Metrics of adipose distribution that identify recipients at high risk of Primary Graft Dysfunction (PGD)
Improved discrimination of post-transplant survival using adipose distribution measures

Technical requirements

Computed Tomography (CT) scans
Automated tool in radiology software for measuring adipose distribution