title: Vascular anastomotic complications in lung transplantation: a single institution's experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lung transplant recipients were reviewed to compare our early and current experience of vascular complications. Since 1995, we have had a policy of early identification and intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  We undertook a retrospective review of all adult lung transplants performed at our centre. Patients with pulmonary vascular complications before and after 1995 were identified and reviewed to determine changes in management and outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified a total of 13 patients with either pulmonary artery or venous obstruction out of a total of 720 adult lung transplants (1.8%). There were 9 females and 4 males with an age range of 25-64 years. Complications were more common in patients with fibrotic lung disease and involved 15 vascular anastomoses, most commonly the pulmonary arterial anastomosis. Prior to 1995, 5 cases were identified, all postoperatively. In this group, the mean time for identification of the complication was 9.4 (range 4-14) days. Only 1 patient survived to discharge. After 1995, vascular complications were identified intraoperatively in 4 cases and corrected immediately. Four cases were identified postoperatively (at <1-17 days) by a computed tomography pulmonary angiogram. Three were treated surgically within 24 h of diagnosis (using cardiopulmonary bypass with cold preservation). One patient was managed conservatively. Among patients identified after 1995, 5 survived to discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though rare, pulmonary vascular complications after lung transplantation carry high mortality. In our opinion, early identification and intervention improves outcome. Intraoperative assessment by pressure gradient measurement and transoesophageal echocardiography is recommended. Despite this, mortality remains high and prevention is better than cure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Transplantation and Surgery, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Aleem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siddique
authors.forename: Amal K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Bose
authors.forename: Faruk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Özalp
authors.forename: Tanveer A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Butt
authors.forename: Hazel
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Muse
authors.forename: Katie E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Dark
authors.forename: Gareth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Parry
authors.forename: Stephen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D004739:England; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: Lung transplantation; Vascular stenosis