Medical Management Considerations for Patients With Lung Transplantation

Abstract

Lung transplantation has become an accepted modality for the treatment of end-stage lung disease. Adult and pediatric patients with a variety of lung diseases, including cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are candidates for lung transplantation. Lung transplantation can extend survival and improve quality of life for these patients. With the introduction of new immunosuppressive agents and enhanced surgical and medical care, both short- and long-term morbidity and mortality in these populations, although not as good as other transplant types, are improving. After lung transplantation, recipients continue to face a number of obstacles including post-operative complications, complex drug regimens, drug-induced toxicities, infection, and rejection. An understanding of the management and monitoring issues after lung transplantation is the focus of this review.