title: The Diagnosis and Management of Airway Complications Following Lung Transplantation.
abstract: Airway complications following lung transplantation result in considerable morbidity and are associated with a mortality of 2% to 4%. The incidence of lethal and nonlethal airway complications has decreased since the early experiences with double- and single-lung transplantation. The most common risk factor associated with post-lung transplantation airway complications is anastomotic ischemia. Airway complications include the development of exophytic granulation tissue, bronchial stenosis, bronchomalacia, airway fistula, endobronchial infection, and anastomotic dehiscence. The broadening array of bronchoscopic therapies has enhanced treatment options for lung transplant recipients with airway complications. This article reviews the risk factors, clinical manifestations, and treatments of airway complications following lung transplantation and provides our expert opinion when evidence is lacking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Pulmonology, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, VA. Electronic address: amit.mahajan@inova.org.
authors.forename: Amit K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mahajan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Folch
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Virginia Common Wealth Medical School, Falls Church, VA.
authors.forename: Sandeep J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Khandhar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Colleen L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Channick
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Pulmonology, Houston Methodist Lung Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX.
authors.forename: Jose F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Santacruz
authors.affiliation: Lerner College of Medicine, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Respiratory, Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Atul C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.affiliation: Advanced Lung Disease and Transplant Program, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, VA.
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Nathan
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006097:Granulation Tissue; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: airway complications; bronchoscopy; lung transplantation