Lung Transplantation: Post-Operative ICU Management

Abstract

Lung transplantation is a widely accepted surgical procedure for treatment of select patients suffering from end-stage lung disease. Recipients, however, require meticulous post-transplant care to preserve allograft lung function and to ensure optimal patient quality of life. In the post-operative period, these patients are predisposed to specific complications and pose unique considerations that clinicians caring for these patients in the intensive care setting should be familiar with managing. This chapter focuses on the early post-operative critical care management of the lung transplant recipient with specific emphasis on hemodynamic resuscitation; early lung graft dysfunction; and considerations regarding immunosuppression and infection. Non-pulmonary issues that affect the clinical care of these patients in the ICU setting are also discussed.