The patient who has undergone lung transplantation: Implications for respiratory care.
Lung transplantation is now performed in patients with end-stage pulmonary parenchymal or vascular lung disease. The process of evaluating a patient for transplantation, managing the patient during the peri-operative period, and caring for the patient following transplantation is complex. Lung-transplant recipients are prone to unique complications of lung transplantation, as well as general complications of an immunosuppressed host. This article reviews the indications for, expected outcomes of, and management of complications that can develop following lung transplantation. Respiratory therapists play an instrumental role in assisting in the management of this group of patients in the pretransplant and post-transplant periods, and in their long-term management.
Levine
Stephanie M
SM
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA. levines@uthscsa.edu
Angel
Luis F
LF
D000402:Airway Obstruction; D001989:Bronchiolitis Obliterans; D000075202:Contraindications; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012138:Respiratory Therapy; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection; D014481:United States