2.3 Data collection
The pertinent parameters were collected through a retrospective chart
review of all patients, including demographic data (age, sex, height,
weight, comorbidities), laboratory data (alanine aminotransferase (ALT),
aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, serum creatinine,
urea, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin, hematocrit), transplant-related
data (indication for transplant, transplant type, use of basiliximab and
use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)), TAC
C0, Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1),
presence of donor-specific
antibodies (DSA) and mortality were obtained.
The TAC C0 values were determined using micro-particle
enzyme immunoassay (ARCHITECT i1000SR immunoassay analyzer, Abbott
U.S.). All TAC C0 data within the 0–3 months, 3–12
months, and 12–24 months were
included. The average TAC C0 were calculated for each
patient within each respective epoch. TAC IPV was calculated as the
coefficient of variation (CV) using the formula TAC IPV = (standard
deviation/mean) × 100%, as previously reported.19 A
minimum of three measurements per each post-transplant epoch were
required to calculate IPV. Respiratory function test was performed at
four weeks post-transplantation and then every 3 months thereafter, or
based on physicians’ discretion.