Chylothorax after heart/lung transplantation.
Chylothorax is a potentially serious complication of lung and heart-lung transplantation. This article describes the clinical course of chylothorax in 3 heart-lung allograft recipients. We discuss management options, including dietary modifications, octreotide infusion, thoracic duct ligation and embolization, and surgical pleurodesis. In addition, we describe the novel use of aminocaproic acid to reduce lymph flow. We propose a multidisciplinary approach for the management of chylothorax that includes both medical and surgical options.
Ziedalski
Tomasz M
TM
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
Raffin
Thomas A
TA
Sze
Daniel Y
DY
Mitchell
John D
JD
Robbins
Robert C
RC
Theodore
James
J
Faul
John L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000614:Aminocaproates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003663:Decision Trees; D016041:Heart-Lung Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications
D000614:Aminocaproates