Severe ischemic injury to the proximal airway following lung transplantation. Immediate and long-term effects on bronchial cartilage. Multi-Organ Transplant Group.
Ischemia due to interruption of the bronchial circulation has been recognized as a cause of immediate postoperative anastomotic dehiscence in lung and heart-lung transplant recipients. Since patients do not ordinarily survive such major ischemic insults, the long-term effects of airway ischemia and the differentiation of these effects from those of transplant rejection and infection have not been clearly defined. We describe a patient who suffered extensive airway ischemia, necrosis, and subsequent diffuse airway stenosis. Loss of the bronchial circulation with variable ischemia may be a major cause of late airway abnormality responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients.
Frost
A E
AE
Department of Medicine, Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.
Keller
C A
CA
Cagle
P T
PT
D000328:Adult; D001980:Bronchi / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002356:Cartilage / Q000473:pathology*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D012086:Reoperation