Lung Transplantation

views updated May 21 2018

Lung Transplantation

Definition
Purpose
Demographics
Description
Diagnosis/Preparation
Aftercare
Risks
Normal results
Morbidity and mortality rates

Definition

Lung transplantation involves removal of one or both diseased lungs from a patient and the replacement of the lungs with healthy organs from a donor. Lung transplantation may refer to single, double, or even heart-lung transplantation.

Purpose

The purpose of lung transplantation is to replace a lung that no longer functions with a healthy lung. To perform a lung transplantation, there should be potential for rehabilitated breathing function. Other medical treatments should be attempted before transplantion is considered. Many candidates for this procedure have end-stage fibrotic lung disease, are dependent on oxygen therapy, and are likely to die of their disease in 12-18 months.

Demographics

In order to qualify for lung transplantation, a patient must suffer from severe lung disease such as:

  • emphysema
  • cystic fibrosis
  • pulmonary fibrosis
  • pulmonary hypertension
  • bronchiectasis
  • sarcoidosis
  • silicosis

Patients with emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be under 60 years of age, have a life expectancy without transplantation of two years or less, progressive deterioration, and emotional stability in order to be considered for lung transplantation. Young patients with end-stage silicosis may be candidates for lung or heart-lung transplantation. Patients with stage III or stage IV sarcoidosis with cor pulmonale (right-sided heart failure) should be considered as early as possible for lung transplantation.

Description

Once a patient has been selected as a possible organ recipient, the process of waiting for a donor organ match begins. The donor organ must meet specific requirements for tissue match in order to reduce the chance of organ rejection. It is estimated that it takes an average of one to two years to receive a suitable donor lung, and the wait is made less predictable by the necessity for tissue match. Patients on a recipient list must be available and ready to come to the hospital immediately when a donor match is found, since the life of the lungs outside the body is brief.

Single lung transplantation is performed via a standard thoracotomy (incision in the chest wall) with the patient under general anesthesia. Cardiopulmonary bypass (diversion of blood flow from the heart) is not always necessary for a single lung transplant. If bypass is necessary, it involves re-routing of the blood through tubes to a heart-lung bypass machine. Double lung transplantation involves implanting the lungs as two separate lungs, and cardiopulmonary bypass is usually required. The patient’s lung or lungs are removed and the donor lungs are stitched into place. Drainage tubes are inserted into the chest area to help drain fluid, blood, and air out of the chest.

Heart-lung transplants always require the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. An incision is made through the middle of the sternum. The heart, lung, and supporting structures are transplanted into the recipient at the same time.

Diagnosis/Preparation

Patients who have diseases or conditions that may make them more susceptible to organ rejection are not selected for lung transplant. This includes patients who are acutely ill and unstable; have uncontrolled or untreatable pulmonary infection; significant dysfunction of other organs, particularly the liver, kidney, or central nervous system; and those with significant coronary disease or left ventricular dysfunction. Patients who actively smoke cigarettes or are dependent on drugs or alcohol may not be selected. There are a variety of protocols that are used to determine if a

patient will be placed on a transplant recipient list, and criteria may vary depending on location.

The following diagnostic tests are usually performed to evaluate a patient for lung transplantation:

  • Arterial blood gases (ABG) test, which measures the amount of oxygen that the blood is able to carry to body tissues.
  • Pulmonary function tests (PFTs), which measure lung volume and the rate of air flow through the lungs; the results measure the progress of the lung disease.
  • Radiographic studies (x rays). The most common is the chest x ray (CXR), which takes an internal picture of the chest including the lungs, ribs, heart, and the contours of the major vessels of the chest.
  • Computerized tomography (CT) scan. A chest CT scan is taken of horizontal slices of the chest to provide detailed images of the structure of the chest.
  • Ventilation perfusion scan (lung scan, V/Q scan) is a test that compares right and left lung function.
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG) is performed by placing electrodes on the chest and one electrode on each of the four limbs. A recording of the electrical activity of the heart is obtained to provide information about the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat, and to assess any damage.

KEY TERMS

Anesthesia— The loss of feeling or sensation induced by use of drugs called anesthetics.

Bronchi— Any of the larger air passages of the lungs.

Bronchiectasis— Persistent and progressive dilation of bronchi or bronchioles as a consequence of inflammatory disease such as lung infections, obstructions, tumors, or congenital abnormality.

Bronchioles— The tiny branches of air tubes within the lungs that are the continuation of bronchi and connect to the lung air sacs (alveoli).

Cor pulmonale— Enlargement of the right ventricle of the heart caused by pulmonary hypertension that may result from emphysema or bronchiectasis; eventually, the condition leads to congestive heart failure.

Cystic fibrosis— A generalized disorder of infants, children, and young adults characterized by widespread dysfunction of the exocrine glands, and chronic pulmonary disease due to excess mucus production in the respiratory tract.

Emphysema— A pathological accumulation of air in tissues or organs, especially in the lungs.

Immunosuppressive— Relating to the weakening or reducing of the immune system’s responses to foreign material; immunosuppressive drugs reduce the immune system’s ability to reject a transplanted organ.

Pulmonary— Refers to the respiratory system, or breathing function and system.

Pulmonary fibrosis— Chronic inflammation and progressive formation of fibrous tissue in the pulmonary alveolar walls, with steadily progressive shortness of breath, resulting in death from lack of oxygen or heart failure.

Pulmonary hypertension— Abnormally high blood pressure within the pulmonary artery.

Rejection— Occurs when the body tries to attack a transplanted organ because it reacts to the organ or tissue as a foreign object and produces antibodies to destroy it. Anti-rejection (immunosuppressive) drugs help prevent rejection.

Sarcoidosis— A chronic disease with unknown cause that involves formation of nodules in bones, skin, lymph nodes, and lungs.

Silicosis— A progressive disease that results in impairment of lung function and is caused by inhalation of dust containing silica.

  • Echocardiogram (ECHO) is an ultrasound of the heart, performed to evaluate the impact of lung disease on the heart. It examines the chambers, valves, aorta, and the wall motion of the heart. ECHO also provides information concerning the blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. This information is required to plan the transplantation surgery.
  • Blood tests. Blood samples are required for both routine and specialized testing.

In addition to tests and criteria for selection as a candidate for transplantation, patients are prepared by discussing at length the procedure, risks, and expected prognosis with the doctor. Patients should continue to follow all therapies and medications for treatment of the underlying disease, unless otherwise instructed by their physician. Since lung transplantation takes place under general anesthesia, patients are advised not to take food or drink from midnight before the surgery.

Aftercare

Transplantation requires a long hospital stay, and recovery can last up to six months. Careful monitoring will take place in a recovery room immediately following the surgery and in the patient’s hospital room. Patients must take immunosuppressive, or anti-rejection, drugs to reduce the risk of rejection of the transplanted organ. The body considers the new organ an invader and will fight its presence. The anti-rejection drugs lower the body’s immune function in order to improve acceptance of the new organs. This also makes the patient more susceptible to infection.

Frequent check-ups, including x-ray and blood tests, will be necessary following surgery, probably for a period of several years.

Risks

Lung transplantation is a complicated and risky procedure, partly because of the organs and systems involved, and also because of the risk of rejection by the recipient’s body. Acute rejection most often occurs within the first four months following surgery, but

WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE AND WHERE IS IT PERFORMED?

Lung transplantations are performed in a specialized organ transplantation hospital. Every transplant hospital in the United States is a member of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and must meet specific requirements.

Lung transplantations involve specialized transplant teams usually consisting of an anesthesiologist, an infectious disease specialist, a thoracic surgeon, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, a cardiologist, and a transplant dietician who all perform with a high level of coordination.

may occur years later. Infection is a substantial risk for organ recipients. An early complication of the surgery can be poor healing of the bronchial and tracheal openings created during the surgery. A late complication and risk is chronic rejection. This can result in inflammation of the bronchial tubes or in late infection from the prolonged use of immunosuppressive drugs to fight rejection.

Normal results

Demonstration of normal results for lung transplantation patients include adequate lung function and improved quality of life, as well as lack of infection and rejection.

Morbidity and mortality rates

According to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), a total of 1,000 lung transplants were performed in the United States in 2005, although the waiting list was comprised of 3,500 people. The survival rate after single-lung transplant was more than 82% at one year, almost 60% at three years, and almost 48% at five years.

Resources

BOOKS

Khatri, VP and JA Asensio. Operative Surgery Manual. 1st ed. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2003.

Mason, RJ et al. Murray & Nadel’s Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2007.

Townsend, CM et al. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 17th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2004.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR

  • Are there organizations who can help me afford the cost of transplantation?
  • How does the lung matching process work?
  • How do I get on the lung waiting list?
  • How will they find the right donor for me?
  • How many lung transplantations do you perform each year?
  • What happens during transplantation?

PERIODICALS

Algar, F. J., et al. “Lung Transplantation in Patients under Mechanical Ventilation.” Transplantation Proceedings, 35 (March 2003): 737–738.

Burns, K. E., B. A. Johnson, and A. T. Iacono. “Diagnostic Properties of Transbronchial Biopsy in Lung Transplant Recipients Who Require Mechanical Ventilation.” Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 22 (March 2003): 267–275.

Chan, K. M., and S. A. Allen. “Infectious Pulmonary Complications in Lung Transplant Recipients.” Seminars in Respiratory Infections, 17 (December 2002): 291–302.

Helmi, M., R. B. Love, D. Welter, R. D. Cornwell, and K. C. Meyer. “Aspergillus Infection in Lung Transplant Recipients with Cystic Fibrosis: Risk Factors and Outcomes Comparison to Other Types of Transplant Recipients.” Chest, 123 (March 2003): 800–808.

Kyle, U. G., L. Nicod, J. A. Romand, D. O. Slosman, A. Spiliopoulos, and C. Pichard. “Four-year Follow-up of Body Composition in Lung Transplant Patients.” Transplantation, 75 (March 2003): 821–828.

Van Der Woude, B. T., et al. “Peripheral Muscle Force and Exercise Capacity in Lung Transplant Candidates.” International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 25 (December 2002): 351–355.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Society of Transplantation (AST). 17000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054. (856) 439-9986. http://www.a-s-t.org.

Children’s Organ Transplant Association, Inc. 2501 COTA Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403. (800) 366-2682. http://www.cota.org.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). P.O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824-0105. (301) 592-8573. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm.

Second Wind Lung Transplant Association, Inc. 9030 West Lakeview Court, Crystal River, FL 34428. (888) 222-2690. http://www.arthouse.com/secondwind.

OTHER

“Lung Transplantation.” The Brigham Women’s Hospital. http://www.cheshire-med.com.

“Lung Transplantation.” Medline Plus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/lungtransplantation.html.

Teresa Norris, RN

Monique Laberge, PhD

Luque rod seeSpinal instrumentation

Lymph node biopsy seeSentinel lymph node biopsy

Lymph node removal seeLymphadenectomy

Lung Transplantation

views updated May 23 2018

Lung transplantation

Definition

Lung transplantation involves removal of one or both diseased lungs from a patient and the replacement of the lungs with healthy organs from a donor. Lung transplantation may refer to single, double, or even heart-lung transplantation .


Purpose

The purpose of lung transplantation is to replace a lung that no longer functions with a healthy lung. To perform a lung transplantation, there should be potential for rehabilitated breathing function. Other medical treatments should be attempted before transplantion is considered. Many candidates for this procedure have end-stage fibrotic lung disease, are dependent on oxygen therapy , and are likely to die of their disease in 12 to 18 months.


Demographics

In order to qualify for lung transplantation, a patient must suffer from severe lung disease such as:

  • emphysema
  • cystic fibrosis
  • pulmonary fibrosis
  • pulmonary hypertension
  • bronchiectasis
  • sarcoidosis
  • silicosis

Patients with emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be under 60 years of age, have a life expectancy without transplantation of two years or less, progressive deterioration, and emotional stability in order to be considered for lung transplantation. Young patients with end-stage silicosis may be candidates for lung or heart-lung transplantation. Patients with stage III or stage IV sarcoidosis with cor pulmonale (right-sided heart failure) should be considered as early as possible for lung transplantation.

Description

Once a patient has been selected as a possible organ recipient, the process of waiting for a donor organ match begins. The donor organ must meet specific requirements for tissue match in order to reduce the chance of organ rejection. It is estimated that it takes an average of one to two years to receive a suitable donor lung, and the wait is made less predictable by the necessity for tissue match. Patients on a recipient list must be available and ready to come to the hospital immediately when a donor match is found, since the life of the lungs outside the body is brief.

Single lung transplantation is performed via a standard thoracotomy (incision in the chest wall) with the patient under general anesthesia. Cardiopulmonary bypass (diversion of blood flow from the heart) is not always necessary for a single lung transplant. If bypass is necessary, it involves re-routing of the blood through tubes to a heart-lung bypass machine. Double lung transplantation involves implanting the lungs as two separate lungs, and cardiopulmonary bypass is usually required. The patient's lung or lungs are removed and the donor lungs are stitched into place. Drainage tubes are inserted into the chest area to help drain fluid, blood, and air out of the chest.

Heart-lung transplants always require the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. An incision is made through the middle of the sternum. The heart, lung, and supporting structures are transplanted into the recipient at the same time.


Diagnosis/Preparation

Patients who have diseases or conditions that may make them more susceptible to organ rejection are not selected for lung transplant. This includes patients who are acutely ill and unstable; have uncontrolled or untreatable pulmonary infection; significant dysfunction of other organs, particularly the liver, kidney, or central nervous system; and those with significant coronary disease or left ventricular dysfunction. Patients who actively smoke cigarettes or are dependent on drugs or alcohol may not be selected. There are a variety of protocols that are used to determine if a patient will be placed on a transplant recipient list, and criteria may vary depending on location.

The following diagnostic tests are usually performed to evaluate a patient for lung transplantation:

  • Arterial blood gases (ABG) test, which measures the amount of oxygen that the blood is able to carry to body tissues.
  • Pulmonary function tests (PFTs), which measure lung volume and the rate of air flow through the lungs; the results measure the progress of the lung disease.
  • Radiographic studies (x rays). The most common is the chest x ray (CXR), which takes an internal picture of the chest including the lungs, ribs, heart, and the contours of the major vessels of the chest.
  • Computerized tomography (CT) scan. A chest CT scan is taken of horizontal slices of the chest to provide detailed images of the structure of the chest.
  • Ventilation perfusion scan (lung scan, V/Q scan) is a test that compares right and left lung function.
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG) is performed by placing electrodes on the chest and one electrode on each of the four limbs. A recording of the electrical activity of the heart is obtained to provide information about the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat, and to assess any damage.
  • Echocardiogram (ECHO) is an ultrasound of the heart, performed to evaluate the impact of lung disease on the heart. It examines the chambers, valves, aorta, and the wall motion of the heart. ECHO also provides information concerning the blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. This information is required to plan the transplantation surgery.
  • Blood tests. Blood samples are required for both routine and specialized testing.

In addition to tests and criteria for selection as a candidate for transplantation, patients are prepared by discussing at length the procedure, risks, and expected prognosis with the doctor. Patients should continue to follow all therapies and medications for treatment of the underlying disease, unless otherwise instructed by their physician. Since lung transplantation takes place under general anesthesia, patients are advised not to take food or drink from midnight before the surgery.

Aftercare

Transplantation requires a long hospital stay, and recovery can last up to six months. Careful monitoring will take place in a recovery room immediately following the surgery and in the patient's hospital room. Patients must take immunosuppressive, or anti-rejection, drugs to reduce the risk of rejection of the transplanted organ. The body considers the new organ an invader and will fight its presence. The anti-rejection drugs lower the body's immune function in order to improve acceptance of the new organs. This also makes the patient more susceptible to infection.

Frequent check-ups, including x ray and blood tests, will be necessary following surgery, probably for a period of several years.


Risks

Lung transplantation is a complicated and risky procedure, partly because of the organs and systems involved, and also because of the risk of rejection by the recipient's body. Acute rejection most often occurs within the first four months following surgery, but may occur years later. Infection is a substantial risk for organ recipients. An early complication of the surgery can be poor healing of the bronchial and tracheal openings created during the surgery. A late complication and risk is chronic rejection. This can result in inflammation of the bronchial tubes or in late infection from the prolonged use of immunosuppressive drugs to fight rejection.


Normal results

Demonstration of normal results for lung transplantation patients include adequate lung function and improved quality of life, as well as lack of infection and rejection.

Morbidity and mortality rates

According to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), a total of 1,076 lung transplants and 31 heart-lungs transplants were performed in the United States in 2002. Of these transplants, 1,041 lungs were obtained from deceased donors and 35 from living donors. The survival rate at one year after transplant was 77% for lung transplants and 64% for heart-lung transplants.

See also Heart transplantation; Thoracotomy.


Resources

books

Couture, K. A. The Lung Transplantation Handbook: A Guide For Patients, 2nd edition. Victoria, BC: Trafford, 2001.

Hertz, M. I., R. M. Bolman, and J. M. Dunitz. Manual of Lung Transplant Medical Care. Minneapolis, MN: Fairview Press, 2001.

Maurer, Janet R., Ronald F. Grossman, and Noel Zamel. "Lung Transplantation." In Textbook of Respiratory Medicine, 2nd edition, edited by John F. Murray and Jay A. Nadel. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co., 1994.

Schum, J. M. Taking Flight: Inspirational Stories in Lung Transplanation. Victoria, BC: Trafford, 2002.


periodicals

Algar, F. J., et al. "Lung Transplantation in Patients under Mechanical Ventilation." Transplantation Proceedings, 35 (March 2003): 737738.

Burns, K. E., B. A. Johnson, and A. T. Iacono. "Diagnostic Properties of Transbronchial Biopsy in Lung Transplant Recipients Who Require Mechanical Ventilation." Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 22 (March 2003): 267275.

Chan, K. M., and S. A. Allen. "Infectious Pulmonary Complications in Lung Transplant Recipients." Seminars in Respiratory Infections, 17 (December 2002): 291302.

Helmi, M., R. B. Love, D. Welter, R. D. Cornwell, and K. C. Meyer. " Aspergillus Infection in Lung Transplant Recipients with Cystic Fibrosis: Risk Factors and Outcomes Comparison to Other Types of Transplant Recipients." Chest, 123 (March 2003): 800808.

Kyle, U. G., L. Nicod, J. A. Romand, D. O. Slosman, A. Spiliopoulos, and C. Pichard. "Four-year Follow-up of Body Composition in Lung Transplant Patients." Transplantation, 75 (March 2003): 821828.

Van Der Woude, B. T., et al. "Peripheral Muscle Force and Exercise Capacity in Lung Transplant Candidates." International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 25 (December 2002): 351355.


organizations

American Society of Transplantation (AST). 17000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054. (856) 439-9986. <http://www.a-s-t.org>.

Children's Organ Transplant Association, Inc. 2501 COTA Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403. (800) 366-2682. <http://www.cota.org>.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). P.O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824-0105. (301) 592-8573. <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm>.

Second Wind Lung Transplant Association, Inc. 9030 West Lakeview Court, Crystal River, FL 34428. (888) 222-2690. <http://www.arthouse.com/secondwind>.

other

"Lung Transplantation." The Brigham Women's Hospital. <http://www.cheshire-med.com/programs/pulrehab/transplant.html>.

"Lung Transplantation." Medline Plus. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/lungtransplantation.html>.


Teresa Norris, RN
Monique Laberge, PhD

WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE AND WHERE IS IT PERFORMED?


Lung transplantations are performed in a specialized organ transplantation hospital. Every transplant hospital in the United States is a member of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and must meet specific requirements.

Lung transplantations involve specialized transplant teams usually consisting of an anesthesiologist, an infectious disease specialist, a thoracic surgeon, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, a cardiologist, and a transplant dietician who all perform with a high level of coordination.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR


  • Are there organizations who can help me afford the cost of transplantation?
  • How does the lung matching process work?
  • How do I get on the lung waiting list?
  • How will they find the right donor for me?
  • How many lung transplantations do you perform each year?
  • What happens during transplantation?

Lung Transplantation

views updated May 11 2018

Lung Transplantation

Definition

Lung transplantation involves removal of one or both diseased lungs from a patient and the replacement of the lungs with healthy organs from a donor. Lung transplantation may refer to single, double, or even heart-lung transplantation.

Purpose

The purpose of lung transplantation is to replace a lung that no longer functions, or is cancerous, with a healthy lung. In order to qualify for lung transplantation, a patient must suffer from severe lung disease which limits activities of daily living. There should be potential for rehabilitated breathing function. Attempts at other medical treatments should be exhausted before transplantion is considered. Many candidates for this procedure have end-stage fibrotic lung disease, are dependent on oxygen therapy, and are likely to die of their disease in 12-18 months.

Patients with emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be under 60 years of age, have a life expectancy without transplantation of two years or less, progressive deterioration, and emotional stability in order to be considered for lung transplantation. Young patients with end-stage silicosis (a progressive lung disease) may be candidates for lung or heart-lung transplantation. Patients with Stage III or Stage IV sarcoidosis (a chronic lung

National Transplant Waiting List By Organ Type (June 2000)
Organ NeededNumber Waiting
Kidney48,349
Liver15,987
Heart4,139
Lung3,695
Kidney-Pancreas2,437
Pancreas942
Heart-Lung212
Intestine137

disease) with cor pulmonale should be considered as early as possible for lung transplantation. Other indicators of lung transplantation include pulmonary vascular disease and chronic pulmonary infection.

Precautions

Patients who have diseases or conditions which may make them more susceptible to organ rejection should not receive a lung transplant. This includes patients who are acutely ill and unstable; who have uncontrolled or untreatable pulmonary infection; significant dysfunction of other organs, particularly the liver, kidney, or central nervous system; and those with significant coronary disease or left ventricular dysfunction. Patients who actively smoke cigarettes or are dependent on drugs or alcohol may not be selected. There are a variety of protocols that are used to determine if a patient will be placed on a transplant recipient list, and criteria may vary depending on location.

Description

Once a patient has been selected as a possible organ recipient, the process of waiting for a donor organ match begins. The donor organ must meet clear requirements for tissue match in order to reduce the chance of organ rejection. It is estimated that it takes an average of one to two years to receive a suitable donor lung, and the wait is made less predictable by the necessity for tissue match. Patients on a recipient list must be available and ready to come to the hospital immediately when a donor match is found, since the life of the lungs outside the body is brief.

Single lung transplantation is performed via a standard thoracotomy (incision in the chest wall) with the patient under general anesthesia. Cardiopulmonary bypass (diversion of blood flow from the heart) is not always necessary for a single lung transplant. If bypass is necessary, it involves re-routing of the blood through tubes to a heart-lung bypass machine. Double lung transplantation involves implanting the lungs as two separate lungs, and cardiopulmonary bypass is usually required. The patient's lung or lungs are removed and the donor lungs are stitched into place. Drainage tubes are inserted into the chest area to help drain fluid, blood, and air out of the chest. They may remain in place for several days. Transplantation requires a long hospital stay and recovery can last up to six months.

Heart-lung transplants always require the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. An incision is made through the middle of the sternum. The heart, lung, and supporting structures are transplanted into the recipient at the same time.

Preparation

In addition to tests and criteria for selection as a candidate for transplantation, patients will be prepared by discussing the procedure, risks, and expected prognosis at length with their doctor. Patients should continue to follow all therapies and medications for treatment of the underlying disease unless otherwise instructed by their physician. Since lung transplantation takes place under general anesthesia, normal surgical and anesthesia preparation should be taken when possible. These include no food or drink from midnight before the surgery, discussion of current medications with the physician, and informing the physician of any changes in condition while on the recipient waiting list.

Aftercare

Careful monitoring will take place in a recovery room immediately following the surgery and in the patient's hospital room. Patients must take immunosuppression, or anti-rejection, drugs to reduce the risk of rejection of the transplanted organ. The body considers the new organ an invader and will fight its presence. The anti-rejection drugs lower the body's immune function in order to improve acceptance of the new organs. This also makes the patient more susceptible to infection.

Frequent check-ups with a physician, including x ray and blood tests, will be necessary following surgery, probably for a period of several years.

Risks

Lung transplantation is a complicated and risky procedure, partly because of the organs and systems involved, and also because of the risk of rejection by the recipient's body. Acute rejection most often occurs within the first four months following surgery, but may occur years later. Infection is a substantial risk for organ recipients. An early complication of the surgery can be poor healing of the bronchial and tracheal openings created during the surgery. A late complication and risk is chronic rejection. This can result in inflammation of the bronchial tubes or in late infection from the prolonged use of immunosuppressant drugs to fight rejection. Overall, lung transplant recipients have demonstrated average one and two-year survival rates of more than 70%.

Normal results

The outcome of lung transplantation can be measured in survival rates, and also in improved quality of life for recipients. Studies have reported improved quality of life after lung and heart-lung transplants. One study showed that at the two-year follow-up period, 86% of studied recipients reported no limitation to their activity. Demonstration of normal results for patients may include quality of life measurements, as well as testing to ensure lack of infection and rejection.

KEY TERMS

Pulmonary Refers to the respiratory system, or breathing function and system.

Sarcoidosis A chronic disease with unknown cause that involves formation of nodules in bones, skin, lymph nodes, and lungs.

Silicosis A progressive disease that results in impairment of lung function and is caused by inhalation of dust containing silica.

Resources

ORGANIZATIONS

Children's Organ Transplant Association, Inc. 2501 COTA Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403. (800) 366-2682. http://www.cota.org.

Second Wind Lung Transplant Association, Inc. 9030 West Lakeview Court, Crystal River, FL 34428. (888) 222-2690. http://www.arthouse.com/secondwind.