title: Lung transplantation and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: a case series.
abstract: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a neurological problem characterized by headache, altered mental status, focal neurological deficits, visual disorders, and seizures. The disorder is related to a number of diseases including calcineurin inhibitor therapy in solid organ transplantation. The incidence of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in lung transplantation patients is unclear; probably the majority of the cases are unreported. The authors have described a case series constituted of four patients presenting posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome after bilateral lung transplantation. The cases had in common complicated surgery and a posttransplant course characterized by hypertension, hypomagnesemia and acidosis. Invasive mechanical ventilation, calcineurin inhibitor discontinuation, aggressive antihypertensive therapy, and electrolyte regulation led to near complete recovery of symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplantation, Cà Granda Foundation General Hospital, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rosso
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nosotti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mendogni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palleschi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tosi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montoli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pappalettera
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tarsia
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Santambrogio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male