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.