Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in up to two-thirds of patients after lung transplantation, and renal replacement therapy is required in 10%. Amino acid infusion has been shown to reduce AKI in cardiac surgical patients. No trial of amino acid infusion has taken place in lung transplant. The AIRPORT study will determine feasibility of a larger definitive trial and investigate efficacy using markers of kidney function. We will include all adult patients undergoing lung transplantation surgery. Patients will be randomised to either a blinded balanced amino acid infusion (Synthamin 17 10%) or placebo (balanced crystalloid solution), started after induction of anaesthesia and continued for 72 hours. Feasibility outcomes will include consent rate, protocol compliance and confirmation of consumer engagement endpoints. Efficacy outcomes will include urinary neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL), GFR, Cystatin C and urinary albumin:creatinine ratio. A finding of feasibility and efficacy will lead to the design and funding application for a larger and definitive study in lung transplantation investigating patient centred outcomes.
Associate Professor Tim Coulson, Professor Glen Westall, Professor David Pilcher, Professor Silvana Marasco, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne.
The project was awarded A$64,955 funding through the ANZCA research grants program for 2026.