Real-world evaluation of germline pathogenic variants (PVs) in cancer-predisposition genes among unselected South Asian women with breast or ovarian cancer.
10513 Background: Prior reports of high frequency of BRCA1 and BRCA2 ( BRCA1/2 ) PVs among South Asian women from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan with breast or ovarian cancer require validation in large prospective unselected cohorts. Methods: Individual-level anonymized patient data from two prospective cohorts were pooled to evaluate the prevalence of germline PVs among South Asian women: the South Asian Regional Alliance for Hereditary Cancers (SARAH Consortium) in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan, and the previously reported Nurse-led Genetic Counseling and Awareness (NuGenA) expansion cohort in India. Both studies enrolled consecutive cases of histologically confirmed newly diagnosed breast or epithelial ovarian cancer irrespective of age at diagnosis or family history. In both studies, participants completed questionnaires on personal and family history (first-, second- or third-degree) and provided blood for germline genetic testing after written consent. PVs in cancer predisposition genes including ATM, BARD1, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CHEK2, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PALB2, RAD51C, RAD51D, and TP53 were identified as part of the studies utilizing a multigene panel and the results were returned to ordering clinicians. The data cutoff date for this analysis was November 30, 2025. Results: The analysis included 1,711 South Asian women with breast (n=1,210) or ovarian (n=501) cancer. A family history of breast or ovarian cancer was noted in 177 (10.3%). Among breast cancers, 94% were invasive, 84% were ductal, 35% were triple-negative and over two-thirds presented with nodal involvement. Germline PVs across 13 predisposition genes were observed in 17.7% of breast and 35.9% of ovarian cancers. Notably, BRCA1/2 PVs accounted for most of these PV (13.6% of breast and 28.3% of ovarian cancer cases) with PVs in all genes except BRCA1/2 under 1%. The frequency of BRCA1/2 PVs was 24.4% in triple-negative breast cancer and 8.0% in ER+/HER2-. BRCA1/2 PV carriers were diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age than non-carriers (Median age: 42 vs 46 years, P<0.001), with no age difference observed in ovarian cancer (50 vs. 51 years, P=0.79). Notably, among the 306 BRCA1/2 PV carriers identified, 229 (74.2%) did not report a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Conclusions: We confirm a high prevalence of BRCA1/2 PVs among unselected South Asian women with either breast or ovarian cancer. The observations of younger age at cancer diagnosis, and low rates of family history support the need for population-specific germline genetic testing and risk management strategies in South Asia.
C66-08 Pulmonary Hypertension in ILD Transplant Candidates: Functional Burden and Utility of Screening Tools
Abstract Rationale Pulmonary hypertension (PH) develops in up to 50% of patients with advanced interstitial lung disease (ILD) and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and impaired quality of life. Early recognition is essential, as available therapy for ILD-PH has been shown to improve outcomes. Identifying physiologic markers of PH may facilitate earlier referral for right heart catheterization (RHC) and initiation of targeted treatment. Thus, this study aimed to (1) compare functional parameters between ILD patients with and without RHC-confirmed PH, and (2) assess the applicability of previously proposed ILD-PH screening criteria. Methods We retrospectively analyzed ILD transplant candidates with available pre-transplant pulmonary function tests (FVC%, DLCO%), echocardiographic right-ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), six-minute walk distance (6MWD) with oxygen requirement, and RHC data. PH was defined according to the 2022 ESC/ERS criteria. Functional parameters were compared between patients with and without PH. Among those without a prior PH diagnosis, screening thresholds derived from previously published tools were applied (RVSP ≥ 35 mmHg, DLCO < 40%, FVC/DLCO > 1.6, 6MWD < 350 m, or oxygen use during 6MWD). Results Of 107 ILD patients evaluated, 90 had complete RHC data (48 ILD-PH, 42 ILD without PH). Group comparisons are summarized in Table 1. Patients with PH had lower DLCO% (median 18.5 [11.5-26.7] vs 26.5 [20.0-34.7], p = 0.08), higher FVC/DLCO ratios (2.68 [2.1-3.4] vs 1.7 [1.4-2.6], p = 0.08), and higher RVSP (55 [39.7-63.2] vs 39.5 [29-48] mmHg, p = 0.002). Oxygen requirement during 6MWD was more frequent in ILD-PH (79.2% vs 61.9%, p = 0.08). Among patients with PH, 38 (79.16%) had no formal diagnosis prior to pre-transplant RHC. Of these cases, all (100%) met ≥3 screening criteria, most commonly DLCO < 40% (n = 38, 100%), FVC/DLCO > 1.6 (n = 37, 97.3%), and 6MWD < 350 m (n = 33, 86.8%). Additionally, 32 patients (84.21%) met ≥4 criteria and 8 (21.05%) met all five criteria. Conclusion In ILD transplant candidates, patients with PH had worse functional profiles when compared to those without PH, and nearly 80% of PH cases were previously undiagnosed. Systematic application of validated PH screening tools in ILD populations may facilitate earlier recognition, potentially improving patient outcomes. This abstract is funded by: None
D24-21 Paclitaxel-coated Balloon Dilation as an Effective Treatment for Bronchial Stenosis in Vacterl Association: A Case Report
Abstract Introduction VACTERL is an uncommon association of congenital anomalies that stands for vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheoesophageal fistula, renal anomalies, and limb abnormalities. In addition to these classical features, patients may present with airway abnormalities such as bronchial stenosis or bronchomalacia, which can lead to significant respiratory compromise. Severe bronchial stenosis is usually treated with open airway reconstruction or lung transplantation; however, this is associated with substantial risks, especially in patients with complicated congenital conditions. Interventional bronchoscopic techniques, such as paclitaxel-coated balloon dilatation, allow a less invasive alternative for restoring airway patency and reducing restenosis. We describe the case of a patient with VACTERL association and severe bronchial stenosis successfully treated with serial paclitaxel-coated balloon dilatations, avoiding the need for lung transplantation. Case description A 27-year-old male with VACTERL association presented with symptomatic left mainstem bronchial stenosis and complete right lung collapse. Bronchoscopic intervention was performed over lung transplantation because of the patient’s young age and high surgical risk. It revealed complete fibrotic obstruction of the right main bronchus and proximal stenosis of the left mainstem bronchus, measuring approximately 5-6 mm in diameter. Performing paclitaxel-coated balloon dilation showed progressive airway enlargement and clinical improvement. Under bronchoscopic guidance using a drug-coated balloon (diameter 8-10 mm, length 40 mm), which was placed in the narrowed segment and inflated for 2 minutes to expand the airway and deliver paclitaxel locally, thereby inhibiting cell proliferation and scar tissue formation. Subsequent follow-ups showed that the left mainstem bronchus diameter increased to 8-9 mm, with improvement in the airway patency and respiratory function, without any significant complications. Discussion Although the use of paclitaxel-coated balloon dilation for bronchial stenosis is still limited, this case illustrates its potential benefits as an adjunctive interventional therapy in patients with VACTERL association. The serial dilatations resulted in a progressive, sustained increase in airway diameter, from an initial 5-6 mm to approximately 8-9 mm at final follow-up in our patient (Figure 1). Compared with lung transplant, this intervention offers lower complication rates and the avoidance of chronic graft rejection and immunological complications, which are particularly relevant for young patients. This case report shows the potential of paclitaxel-coated balloon dilation as a safe, effective, and minimally invasive therapeutic option for managing bronchial stenosis in patients with complicated congenital disorders. This abstract is funded by: None
C79-06 Robotic Assisted Bronchoscopy With Endobronchial Pulsed Electric Field Ablation Behind an Obstructed Airway
Abstract Introduction Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) Ablation has been used as an adjunct therapy for cancer. Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy (RAB) enables precise access to pulmonary lesions for biopsy and ablative therapy. However, anatomic obstructions within the airway may prohibit access to peripheral targets. We report a case in which robotic bronchoscopy navigation for the delivery of PEF was not initially possible due to a new anatomic airway obstruction secondary to radiation fibrosis. We were able to utilize therapeutic bronchoscopy to re-cannulate the airway and deliver the PEF via the robotic bronchoscope. Case Report A 68-year-old man with a history of left lung adenocarcinoma was treated with surgery, chemoradiation and durvalumab consolidation therapy. Surveillance imaging 4 years later revealed consolidation in the right upper mediastinum. A bronchoscopy brush biopsy confirmed adenocarcinoma and received systemic chemotherapy. Later a PET-CT showed a non FDG avid enlarged right paratracheal lesion. Follow-up CT revealed complete obstruction of the right middle lobar bronchus with associated middle lobe collapse likely secondary to radiation. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) of the right paratracheal lesion confirmed malignancy on onsite cytopathology. Subsequently, we performed two PEF ablations targeting the involved lesion. Repeat PET-CT demonstrated two hypermetabolic foci in the right hilum and right supraclavicular region. However, the previously PEF treated paratracheal lesion was not PET avid. We used a RAB to navigate into the right upper lobe and identified the anterior segment to be obstructed in addition to the previously noted right middle lobe. Due to this, the robotic bronchoscope couldn’t be advanced to the right hilar PET avid lesion. Utilizing guidewires, balloon dilatation and fluoroscopy we re-cannulated the obstructed right upper lobe segment and subsequently advance the robotic bronchoscope to the target in the right upper lobe. Under cone-beam guidance, multiple biopsies were obtained and confirmed as malignant. Following this, the INUMI PEF needle was deployed. We delivered two PEF activations to the right hilar PET-avid lesion. Subsequent systemic staging using linear EBUS identified station 4R lymph node involvement, positive for malignancy on rapid onsite cytopathologic evaluation. The 4R lymph node was superior to the previously treated paratracheal lesion. We then deployed the INUMI PEF needle, and PEF ablation was performed successfully. Discussion To our knowledge, this is the first reported instance of combining robotic and therapeutic bronchoscopy to overcome airway obstruction to facilitate the distal treatment of peripheral target with PEF. This abstract is funded by: None
C44-26 Robotic-assisted Bronchoscopy for Fungal Lung Infections: Overcoming the Diagnostic Limitations of Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) Antigen Testing
Abstract Introduction The diagnosis of fungal lung infections remains challenging as standard tests, such as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) antigen testing, often yield variable or inconclusive results. These limitations can delay appropriate therapy and may require additional tissue sampling for definitive diagnosis. Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy (RAB) biopsy has been primarily used as a minimally invasive technique for assessing suspicious peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL). This case series highlights the diagnostic utility of RAB for identifying fungal infections within PPL when conventional BAL antigen analysis is non-diagnostic. Case Description Four patients with suspected infectious or malignant PPL underwent RAB-guided biopsy for diagnostic clarification, all yielding histopathologic confirmation of fungal disease. The first, a 73-year-old bilateral lung-transplant recipient with hemoptysis, had a negative BAL Aspergillus antigen despite RAB biopsy confirming Aspergillus infection. Similarly, a second 73-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and esophageal adenocarcinoma had a negative BAL antigen, while RAB biopsy of bilateral cavitary lesions confirmed Aspergillus. Additionally, a 39-year-old woman with a nodule being evaluated for malignancy, had negative BAL Histoplasma antigen and PCR, whereas RAB biopsy confirmed Histoplasma capsulatum. In contrast, a 56-year-old woman with a right-lower-lobe nodule had a positive BAL Aspergillus antigen that aligned with the histopathologic biopsy findings. Discussion BAL-based antigen testing demonstrates variable diagnostic accuracy in fungal lung disease. Reported sensitivities for Aspergillus detection are typically high in meta-analysis, approximately 80%-90%, but clinical performance in the immunocompromised or high-risk patients is often substantially lower. Similarly, while BAL antigen testing for Histoplasma performs well in disseminated infections, it often fails to detect localized pulmonary disease. In this series, three out of four patients had negative BAL results in the presence of histopathologic confirmation of fungal infection. While current guidelines consider BAL positivity supportive of a “probable” diagnosis, tissue histopathology remains the gold standard for a “proven” infection. These findings emphasize the value and capability of RAB in obtaining direct tissue confirmation when conventional testing, such as BAL antigen analysis, is non-diagnostic. Conclusion RAB-guided biopsy of PPLs offers the opportunity for histopathologic confirmation of fungal infection when BAL testing is non-diagnostic. This approach can enhance upfront diagnostic yield in patients with suspected fungal pulmonary infections, avoiding delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation. This abstract is funded by: None
C74-06 Impact of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy on Pulmonary Physiology: A Paired Analysis of Pre and Post Treatment Pulmonary Function Tests
Abstract Rationale Treatment of hematologic malignancies has been revolutionized by Chimeric antigen receptor T -cell (CAR-T) therapy. Pulmonary complications are increasingly being reported, however, there are no standardized timelines for pulmonary function test (PFTs) assessment before or after the infusion. We aimed to evaluate changes in lung function (TLC, RV, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC) pre- and post-CAR-T therapy and examine whether these parameters correlate with the development of specific pulmonary complications. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients above the age of 18 with any malignancy who received CAR-T therapy between June 12, 2018, and December 26, 2023. Pre-CAR-T PFTs were obtained closest to the infusion date, and post-CAR-T PFTs were recorded at the earliest available time following infusion. Pre- and post-CART pulmonary function tests were compared using non-parametric paired tests. In addition, we examined the relationship between baseline PFTs and the subsequent occurrence of pulmonary complications after CAR-T infusion. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied to assess both the magnitude and direction of change while Sign test was used to evaluate only the direction to confirm the consistency of results. These tests were chosen due to small sample size and non-normal distribution of data. Results Among the 68 patients in our cohort, paired pre- and post- CAR-T measurements of pulmonary function were available for 18 patients. FEV1 declined significantly post-infusion (2.70 ± 0.81 L vs 2.28 ± 0.74 L; Z= -2.55, p = 0.011), the FEV1/FVC ratio remained stable (77.8 ± 8.0 vs 80.9 ± 12.2, p = 0.53). Mean TLC and RV remained stable (TLC 5.70 ± 1.18 L vs 4.66 ± 1.02 L, p = 0.17 and 2.13 ± 0.62 L vs 2.00 ± 0.70 L, p = 0.58). There was no significant correlation between the baseline lung function and the development of pulmonary complications. Conclusion Only the pattern of FEV1 decline following CAR-T therapy infusion demonstrates a significant decline, whereas other PFTs, although reduced, did not show significance. While these findings may suggest a restrictive ventilatory pattern, additional data on lung volumes are required to accurately characterize the underlying type of pulmonary function impairment. Although limited by small sample size and non-uniform timing of PFT assessments, this highlights the need for a routine pre-CAR-T pulmonary function evaluation to inform patient selection and baseline risk stratification. This abstract is funded by: None
A41-06 Unexpected Airways: Imatinib-induced Pneumonitis and Tracheobronchial Amyloidosis in a Patient With GIST
Abstract Background With recent advances in oncology, tyrosine kinase inhibitors like imatinib play a significant role in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) treatment but can cause rare pulmonary complications. When new respiratory symptoms arise after starting these agents, differentiating drug toxicity from other lung diseases is important for timely management. Case Presentation A 72-year-old man with GIST, recently started on imatinib, presented with acute dyspnea and hypoxia. His medical history included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a 40-pack-year smoking history. Chest CT revealed new bilateral interstitial infiltrates absent on imaging two months ago, prior to imatinib initiation. The differential diagnosis included imatinib-induced pneumonitis versus atypical infection. Bronchoscopy showed yellowish nodular mucosa throughout the trachea and bronchi, mucus plugging, and airway narrowing in the left lower lobe. Endobronchial biopsies demonstrated amyloid deposits consistent with tracheobronchial amyloidosis. The bronchoalveolar lavage was negative for infection and, therefore, corticosteroid therapy was initiated, resulting in clinical and radiographic improvement. The findings supported a diagnosis of imatinib-induced pneumonitis coexisting with tracheobronchial amyloidosis. Discussion This case highlights the diagnostic challenges when drug-induced pneumonitis occurs along with structural airway abnormalities. Tracheobronchial amyloidosis, although rare, can cause airway obstruction and coexist with inflammatory lung conditions. The temporal association with imatinib, exclusion of infection, and steroid responsiveness indicate imatinib-induced pneumonitis as the primary cause of the acute symptoms, with concurrent amyloid deposition contributing to airway pathology. Conclusion In patients developing new pulmonary symptoms after starting tyrosine kinase inhibitors, drug-induced pneumonitis should be strongly suspected. The coexistence of airway diseases such as tracheobronchial amyloidosis can complicate diagnosis and management, highlighting the need for thorough evaluation including bronchoscopy and tissue biopsy to guide treatment. This abstract is funded by: None
A39-15 CAR T-cell Therapy and Interstitial Lung Abnormalities: Implications for Pulmonary Monitoring
Abstract RATIONALE There are limited studies evaluating the association between chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy and interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA). Our study aims to investigate this potential relationship to better understand pulmonary complications following CAR-T therapy. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients aged 18 or older with any malignancy who received CAR-T therapy between June 12, 2018, and December 26, 2023. Chest imaging, including PET or CT scans, was reviewed for each patient; the closest scan before CAR-T therapy and the most recent scan afterward. We identified ILA based on findings that included ground-glass opacities, reticular abnormalities, traction bronchiectasis, honeycombing, or non-emphysematous cysts involving more than 5% of lung zones. We excluded dependent atelectasis, paraspinal fibrosis, aspiration-related changes, mild focal or unilateral abnormalities, and smoking-related centrilobular nodularity without other findings. Results A total of 66 patients had adequate imaging data both before and after CAR-T infusion. Before therapy, 17 patients (25.8%) demonstrated ILA, while 49 (74.2%) did not. Following CAR-T therapy, the overall prevalence of ILA increased to 31 patients (47.0%). Among those who did not have ILA before CAR-T, 16 of 49 (32.7%) developed new ILA following therapy. Conversely, among those with pre-existing ILA, 14 of 17 (82.4%) showed persistent or progressive ILA post-CAR-T. This distribution demonstrated a statistically significant association between pre- and post-CAR-T ILA status (χ² = 10.8, p = 0.001), indicating that pre-CAR-T ILA status strongly predicted post-CAR-T ILA persistence or worsening. When evaluating post-CAR-T ILA in relation to clinical outcomes, among those with pre-CAR-T ILA, 52.9% (n = 9) were deceased at follow-up, compared to 55.1% (n = 27) among patients without ILA. The difference in mortality between the groups was not statistically significant (χ² = 2.34, p = 0.31). 19 of 31 patients (61.3%) with post-CAR-T ILA were deceased at last follow-up, compared with 17 of 37 (45.9%) in those without ILA. Although mortality was numerically higher among patients with post-CAR-T ILA, this difference did not reach statistical significance (χ² = 1.04, p = 0.308). Conclusion Our study demonstrates a statistically significant association between pre- and post-CAR-T interstitial lung abnormalities, suggesting that CAR-T therapy may contribute to the progression or development of ILAs. These findings highlight the need for closer pulmonary monitoring during CAR-T treatment. This abstract is funded by: None
Abstract PS2-08-25: Endocrine Sensitivity and Predicted Benefit of Extended Endocrine Therapy based on Breast Cancer Index (BCI) in BRCA1, BRCA2 and CHEK2 Pathogenic Variant Carriers with ER+/HER2- Breast Cancer
Abstract Introduction: Patients with ER+/HER2- breast cancer associated with germline pathogenic variants (PVs) in BRCA1, BRCA2 and CHEK2 exhibit distinct clinicopathological features compared to sporadic cases. However, the optimal endocrine therapy strategies for these patients remain undefined. The Breast Cancer Index (BCI) is a validated gene expression-based signature that stratifies patients based on the risk of overall (0-10 years) and late (post-5 years) distant recurrence and predicts the likelihood of benefit from extended endocrine therapy (EET) in early-stage, HR+ breast cancer. Here we utilize BCI to investigate endocrine sensitivity and the predicted EET benefit in a cohort of ER+/HER2- breast cancer patients with BRCA1, BRCA2 and CHEK2 PVs. Methods: BRCA1, BRCA2 and CHEK2 PV carriers with ER+/HER2- breast cancer diagnosed at Mayo Clinic between 1996 and 2024 at Mayo Clinic were identified from a registry tracking germline test result. For comparison, we utilized the BCI Registry, a prospective, multi-institutional tumor registry of patients with early-stage ER+/HER2- breast cancer undergoing BCI testing, regardless of germline PV status. The analysis was restricted to women with invasive, early-stage locoregional breast cancer and available pre-treatment tumor specimens. BCI testing was performed by RT-PCR blinded to clinical outcome. BCI prognostic and BCI predictive categories were compared between the Mayo Clinic germline PV cohort and the BCI Registry using descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact test. Results: The final analysis included 123 PVcarriers (BRCA1: 36; BRCA2: 40; CHEK2: 47) from the MayoClinic cohort and 2,563 women from the BCI Registry. The proportion of patientsdiagnosed before age 50 was higher among PV carriers—52.8% in BRCA1,50.0% in BRCA2, and 21.3% in CHEK2—compared to 7.0% in the BCIRegistry. PV carriers were also more likely to be premenopausal andnode-positive at diagnosis. Based on BCI score, a significant higher proportionof BRCA1 (75.0%, p=0.002) andBRCA2 (70.0%, p=0.01) PV carriers wereclassified as high risk, compared to 48.5% of patients in the BCI Registry, butno significant difference was seen for CHEK2 PV carriers (46.8%,p=0.88). A significantly higher proportion of BRCA1 PV carriers werepredicted to benefit from EET compared to the BCI Registry cohort (77.8% vs.33.9%, p<0.001), whereas no significant differences in BCI Predictivecategories were observed for BRCA2 or CHEK2 PV carriers. Overall,compared to breast cancer cases in the BCI registry, a significant differencein the distribution of the combined BCI prognostic and predictive categorieswas noted for BRCA1 (p<0.001)and BRCA2 (p=0.02) PV carriers,but not for CHEK2 PV carriers (p=0.66). In particular, BRCA1 andBRCA2 PV carriers were enriched for high-risk tumors with a high likelihoodof EET benefit (66.7% and 37.5%, respectively vs 25.1%, p<0.001 and p=0.02),whereas only a small non-significant increase was observed for CHEK2 PVcarriers (29.8% vs 25.1%, p=0.66) compared to breast cancer cases in the BCIRegistry. Conclusions: Genomicclassification by BCI reveals distinct patterns of endocrine sensitivity andpredicted EET benefit among germline PV carriers, particularly in BRCA1and BRCA2 PV carriers. These findings warrant further investigation andmay inform personalized endocrine therapy strategies for women with germlinePV-associated ER+/HER2- breast cancer. Citation Format: S. Yadav, B. O'Neal, S. Yasir, N. Siuliukina, A. Karki, Y. Zhang, A. K. Anderson, K. Treuner, M. P. Goetz, F. J. Couch. Endocrine Sensitivity and Predicted Benefit of Extended Endocrine Therapy based on Breast Cancer Index (BCI) in BRCA1, BRCA2 and CHEK2 Pathogenic Variant Carriers with ER+/HER2- Breast Cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS2-08-25.
Impact of Pre-transplant Mechanical Ventilation Duration on Early Post-heart Transplant Outcomes: A Retrospective Analysis
Abstract Rationale: Mechanical ventilation is frequently required in heart transplant patients to support recovery, but prolonged ventilation may increase the risk of complications and mortality. This study is done to find the impact of pre-transplant ventilation duration on early post-transplant outcomes, including mortality, ICU stay, infection, and respiratory complications. Methods: This retrospective analysis includes 52 heart transplant recipients from Mayo Clinic (2019-2023) who required pre-transplant mechanical ventilation. We analyzed ventilation duration's relationship with ICU and hospital stay, infection rates, respiratory complications, mortality, and baseline demographics. Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to evaluate associations between co-morbidities, ventilation duration, and outcomes. Results: The mean age at transplant was 48.9±14 years. Average ventilation duration was 12.8±14.2 days (Median: 7 days), ICU stay was 24.8± 20.9 days (Median: 15.0 days), and hospital stay was 58±40.8 days (Median: 48 days). Of the patients, 5 (9.6%) did not survive. There was no statistically significant association between mortality and ventilation duration, with a mean duration of 12.7±14.6 days (Median: 7 days) for survivors and 13.6±11.5 days (Median: 21 days) for non-survivors (p>0.05). Patients with infections 23 (44.2%) or respiratory complications 17 (32.7%) had longer ventilation durations (mean 16.3±17.8 days, Median: 9 and 10 days, respectively) compared to those without complications (mean 10±10.2 days, Median: 6 and 5 days, p>0.05). Infection was associated with extended ICU stays (mean 27.5±22.3 days, Median: 18 days with infection vs. 22.7±19.9 days, Median: 15 days without infection). None of the individual co-morbidities (diabetes, hypertension, stroke, chronic kidney disease) significantly impacted mortality or ventilation duration (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Prolonged ventilation is associated with increased rates of infections and respiratory complications but not with mortality in this cohort. Although co-morbidities did not significantly impact ventilation duration or mortality, infection remains a critical factor related to extended ICU stay. Future research should explore preventative strategies for infections in ventilated heart transplant recipients to improve outcomes.