Pulmonary artery stenosis shortly after lung transplantation: successful balloon dilation and stent insertion in one case.
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary artery stenosis after lung transplantation is a rare complication. It usually requires surgical correction but even after that the outcome is not favorable.<br />


METHODS
The patient was a 53-years-old woman who was candidate for lung transplantation surgery due to pulmonary fibrosis. After 7 months on waiting list, with severe limitations in daily living activities, she received a single lung transplant in 2007. The surgery was performed without any complication. One day after surgery and after extubation, the patient needed oxygen supplementation through mask with reservoir bag. In bronchoscopy, black-and-white exudate and black membrane that blocked the main bronchus in the transplanted lung was observed. By bronchial lavage the membrane and exudate were successfully removed and patient received antibiotics for documented Aspergillus infection and methylprednisolone pulse therapy for evidences of graft rejection. Despite success in treatments of the mentioned complications, the condition of the patient deteriorated and she became totally dependent to supplemental oxygen. Oxygen consumption level had increase and pulmonary artery pressure was increasing gradually. With suspicion to pulmonary artery stenosis, bronchial CT-Scan with contrast was performed 13 days after transplantation surgery which showed a 50% stenosis. Trans-esophageal echocardiography also showed a stenosis with 40 mmHg gradient. 18 days after transplantation surgery, percutaneous balloon angioplasty was performed which was initially successful but re-stenosis occurred. Seven days later, another balloon angioplasty with stent insertion was performed. After the procedure, the gradient has been removed. Patient was discharged 30 days after transplantation. Follow-up after 10 months revealed no stenosis and the stent was working properly.<br />


CONCLUSIONS
Stent angioplasty can be performed with no problem or complication if pulmonary artery stenosis is seen after lung transplantation.<br /> <br />
Najafizadeh
Katayoun
K
Lung transplantation Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberclosis and lung Disease, Shaheed Beheshti Medical Sciences University, Tehran, Iran. katynajafi@gmail.com
Daneshvar
Abolghasem
A
Dezfouli
Azizollah Abbasi
AA
Kashani
Babak Sharif
BS
Ahmadi
Zargham Hossein
ZH
Shadmehr
Mohammad Behgam
MB
Ghasemi
Masoud
M
Kardavani
Babak
B
Lankarani
Maryam Moghani
MM
Shafaghi
Shadi
S
D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000473:pathology*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents