title: Practical approach to emergencies in lung transplant recipients: how we do it.
abstract: Lung transplant recipients (LTRs) are prone to medical complications and emergencies due to the transplanted organ being in constant direct contact with the environment and the need for life-long profound immunosuppression (IS). As a result of these specific circumstances, the medical and surgical management of LTRs frequently differs from usual standard care. Therefore, we outline here some of the principles we take into account when dealing with the most frequent medical emergencies encountered in our lung transplant cohort in Zurich. The main topics dealt with are: diagnostics and treatment of infections, gastrointestinal emergencies, IS and other medication issues as well as work-up of unclear inflammatory signs and peri-operative precautions in LTRs. Early post-operative transplant complications, rare medical emergencies and surgical problems are not covered. Our report is intended to help internists and pulmonologists new to the field to obtain a better understanding of the peculiarities of LTRs and their management.
authors: Division of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. mschuurmans@me.com
authors: Macé M
authors: MM
authors: Schuurmans
authors: Gabrielo M
authors: GM
authors: Tini
authors: Alice
authors: A
authors: Zuercher
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Hofer
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Benden
authors: Annette
authors: A
authors: Boehler
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D061345:Early Medical Intervention / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D004630:Emergencies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000379:methods; D015166:Monitoring, Immunologic / Q000379:methods; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013557:Switzerland
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents