title: Airway complications after lung transplantation.
abstract: Airway complications after lung transplantation present a formidable challenge to the lung transplant team, ranging from mere unusual images to fatal events. The exact incidence of complications is wide-ranging depending on the type of event, and there is still evolution of a universal characterization of the airway findings. Management is also wide-ranging. Simple observation or simple balloon bronchoplasty is sufficient in many cases, but vigilance following more severe necrosis is required for late development of both anastomotic and nonanastomotic airway strictures. Furthermore, the impact of coexisting infection, rejection, and medical disease associated with high-level immunosuppression further complicates care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. Electronic address: machuzm@ccf.org.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Machuzak
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Consultants, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Jose F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Santacruz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gildea
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Sudish C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Murthy
mesh_terms: D001999:Bronchoscopy; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009336:Necrosis; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000473:pathology; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D015607:Stents; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology
keywords: Airway dehiscence; Airway necrosis; Bronchial stenosis; Bronchoscopy; Lung transplant