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Abstract

The risk for respiratory complications after solidorgan transplantation continues to be high, even though progress has been achieved with surgical techniques, immunosuppressive agents, and perioperative treatment of transplant recipients. This review is an overview of infectious and noninfectious respiratory complications in liver, kidney, heart, and lung transplant patients. Postoperative respiratory complications are more frequent after liver, heart, and lung transplant recipients, but the incidence is lower in kidney transplant recipients. Lung infiltrates due to multidrug-resistant bacterial infections are increasing and may cause respiratory failure associated with high morbidity and mortality. Treatment strategies including early, broadspectrum empiric antibiotic therapy, lung protective mechanical ventilation, and appropriate timing of tracheotomy for patients who need prolonged mechanical ventilation. Early recognition and aggressive treatment of these respiratory complications may improve outcomes.

Diaphragmatic palsy following lung transplantation

“…Annually thousands of lung transplantations (LTx) are performed to treat end-stage lung diseases. The post-transplantation course has shown overall improvement in the quality of life over time, yet respiratory dysfunction remains a formidable morbidity in a number of patients [ 1 ]. Impaired diaphragmatic function has been documented post-cardiothoracic surgery.…”