Lung Transplantation, An Issue of Clinics in Chest Medicine

Drs. Luis Angel and Stephanie M. Levine, guest editors, have compiled a comprehensive issue of Clinics in Chest Medicine on lung transplantation, covering key topics such as patient selection, immunosuppression, rejection, and chronic allograft dysfunction. The issue includes 14 practice-oriented topics and in-depth clinical reviews, providing actionable insights for clinical practice.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 21 February 2023
Publisher: Elsevier - Health Sciences Division

In this issue of Clinics in Chest Medicine, guest editors Drs. Luis Angel and Stephanie M. Levine bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Lung Transplantation. Top experts in the field cover key topics such as difficult decisions to transplant patients who are older, frail, underweight, and obese; organ donation and variability in conversion to lung transplantation; conventional and novel approaches to immunosuppression; acute rejection and chronic allograft dysfunction; and more.

Contains 14 relevant, practice-oriented topics, including COVID-19 and lung transplantation; the lung transplant candidate: indications, timing, and selection criteria; bilateral lung transplantation vs. single lung transplant: complications, quality of life, and survival; critical care management of the lung transplant recipient; and more.

Provides in-depth clinical reviews on lung transplantation, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.

Lung transplantation is a complex and challenging procedure that involves the replacement of a diseased lung with a healthy one from a donor. It is a life-saving treatment option for patients with end-stage lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, and cystic fibrosis. However, lung transplantation is not without its risks and complications.

One of the most significant challenges in lung transplantation is the selection of suitable candidates. Transplantation is typically reserved for patients who are in good physical condition and have a high likelihood of survival after the procedure. Patients who are older, frail, underweight, or obese may face additional challenges in finding a suitable donor and may require more intensive pre-transplant care.

Organ donation is another critical aspect of lung transplantation. While the number of organ donors remains relatively low, advances in organ preservation techniques have increased the availability of organs for transplantation. However, there is still a significant shortage of organs, particularly for patients with rare diseases or those who are waiting for a long time for a transplant.

Immunosuppression is a key component of lung transplantation, as it helps prevent the body from rejecting the donated lung. The most common immunosuppressive drugs used include calcineurin inhibitors (such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus), mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (such as sirolimus), and anti-CD25 monoclonal antibodies (such as basiliximab). However, immunosuppression can have serious side effects, including kidney damage, infection, and cancer.

Acute rejection is a common complication of lung transplantation, occurring within the first few weeks or months after the procedure. It is characterized by inflammation and damage to the transplanted lung, which can lead to respiratory failure and death. Chronic allograft dysfunction is a long-term complication that can occur after lung transplantation, and it is characterized by the gradual deterioration of the transplanted lung.

In recent years, there have been significant advances in lung transplantation, including the use of minimally invasive techniques, such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), to reduce the recovery time and minimize the risk of complications. There have also been developments in the use of novel immunosuppressive drugs and the development of new technologies to monitor and manage lung transplant patients.

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on lung transplantation, with many transplant centers temporarily suspending or reducing the number of transplant procedures due to the pandemic. However, there have also been examples of successful lung transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic, with patients receiving transplants despite the challenges posed by the virus.

In conclusion, lung transplantation is a complex and challenging procedure that requires the expertise of a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. While there are risks and complications associated with the procedure, it is a life-saving treatment option for patients with end-stage lung disease. Advances in lung transplantation, including organ donation, immunosuppression, and minimally invasive techniques, have improved the success rates and quality of life for transplant recipients. However, continued research and innovation are needed to further improve the outcomes of lung transplantation and address the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Weight: 648g
Dimension: 262 x 186 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780323960717