Airway complications post lung transplantation

Abstract

This review summarizes the six major classes of airway complications post lung transplantation, with descriptions of radiographic findings and current management.

Airway Complications After Lung Transplantation

“…These factors include primary graft dysfunction, acute cellular rejection, positive pressure mechanical ventilation, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), organ preservation technique, recipient/donor sex or age, body mass index, and acute kidney injury, among others. 1,9,10,20,21,[40][41][42] Primary graft dysfunction, a type of reperfusion injury, may compromise pulmonary flow and increase the length of mechanical ventilation and the degree of PEEP required. Positive pressure mechanical ventilation and PEEP have the potential to increase the bronchial wall and the anastomosis stress, with the potential of inhibiting collateralization, and graft perfusion might be impaired when high inflation pressures are needed.…”

Imaging of Large Airways Disorders

“…Iatrogenic airway stenosis can also follow lung transplant at the site of anastomosis, typically developing within 9 months after surgery [25,27]. Another posttransplant complication is anastomotic dehiscence, which may manifest with pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax [25,27,28].…”

“…Another posttransplant complication is anastomotic dehiscence, which may manifest with pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax [25,27,28].…”

Generation of Lung Epithelium from Pluripotent Stem Cells

“…Presently, lung transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage lung disease. However, the shortage of donor lungs and the increased risk of secondary complications such as graft rejection and failure [1–3] means that transplantation is a temporary fix.…”