Lung transplantation. A disease-specific approach

Intensivtherapie nach Organtransplantation

Nach langen Diskussionen bietet das Transplantationsgesetz, das seit 01.12.1997 in Kraft ist, Rechtssicherheit. Das Gesetz dient dem Schutz des Spenders und des Empfängers, und es bietet Rechtssicherheit für alle in der Transplantationsmedizin Tätigen. Das Gesetz legt die Rechte und Verpflichtungen der Beteiligten und die Wege der Organspende und -vermittlung fest. Das Gesetz unterscheidet zwischen der Organentnahme bei Lebenden und bei Verstorbenen und legt die Rahmenbedingungen fest. Die Umsetzung der Todesbestimmung soll nach den Erkenntnissen der medizinischen Wissenschaft erfolgen und ist in den Richtlinien der Bundesärztekammer (3. Fortschreibung 1997) festgelegt worden.

Clinical outcome after coronary artery revascularization and lung transplantation

BACKGROUND

Presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in otherwise eligible lung transplant candidates is considered a contraindication to lung transplantation. We reviewed the clinical outcome of our experience in lung transplant recipients with operable coronary artery disease and normal left ventricular function.

METHODS

Medical records of all transplant recipients with coronary artery disease were reviewed. Data analyzed include demographics, coronary angiograms, coronary artery revascularization procedure, and clinical outcome after lung transplantation.

RESULTS

Between April 1992 and August 2001, 354 lung transplant procedures were performed. Eighteen patients (5%) had significant CAD (greater than 50% stenoses). Six male patients (mean age 59 years) underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty/stent and after lung transplantation all were discharged after a median hospital stay of 8.5 days. All recipients are alive at a median follow-up time of 14.5 months after their transplant. Twelve male patients (mean age 58 years) had combined coronary artery bypass grafting and lung transplantation. All recipients were discharged after a median hospital stay of 16 days. Nine recipients are alive at a median follow-up time of 7.5 months after transplant. One-year survival by the Kaplan-Meier method is 88% for the 18 patients with coronary artery disease who underwent revascularization and lung transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the traditional criteria of excluding all eligible transplant candidates due to coronary artery disease, coronary revascularization in select candidates with favorable anatomy and normal left ventricular function can allow patients to undergo lung transplantation with acceptable outcomes.

Lung transplantation for lymphangioleiomyomatosis: role of imaging in the assessment of complications related to the underlying disease

PURPOSE

To identify the complications and imaging findings related to lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) after lung transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical histories and imaging studies of 13 patients from five major medical centers who underwent unilateral (n = 8) or bilateral (n = 5) lung transplantation for LAM between 1991 and 1997. Complications related to LAM, both before and after transplantation, were recorded.

RESULTS

The following LAM-related complications were found during and after transplantation: excessive pleural adhesions (n = 4), native lung pneumothorax (n = 3), chylous effusion (n = 1), chylous ascites (n = 3), complications from renal angiomyolipomas (n = 4), and recurrent LAM (n = 1). Diagnosis could be made or suggested with computed tomography (CT) in all cases. Four patients (31%) died; one patient died of complications of LAM.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who have undergone lung transplantation for LAM have increased morbidity and mortality due to complications related to their underlying disease. These LAM-related complications can be diagnosed or suggested with CT.