Author:
Michel Sebastian G.,Hanuna Maja,Pattathu Joseph,Pabst von Ohain Jelena,Schneider Christian,Kauke Theresa,Kneidinger Nikolaus,Behr Juergen,Milger Katrin,Barton Juergen,Veit Tobias,Kamla Christine,Mueller Christoph,Dzieciol Robert,Christen Lauren,Irlbeck Michael,Tomasi Roland,Abicht Jan,Scheiermann Patrick,Feuerecker Matthias,Dalla-Pozza Robert,Fischer Marcus,Jakob Andre,Hermann Matthias,Haas Nikolaus,Hagl Christian,Hörer Jürgen
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a known and life limiting complication of preterm born young adults with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), ultimately leading to progressive right ventricular (RV) failure. Prognosis remains poor, especially in patients unresponsive to modern vasoactive pharmacotherapy. Therefore, lung transplantation presents the treatment of choice to avert cardiac failure. With limited donor organ availability and long waiting times, the implantation of a paracorporeal lung assist device (PLAD) is a way to bridge the patient as an alternative to veno-arterial ECMO. Herein, we present the case of a prematurely born 23-year-old female, who developed severe PH due to BPD and consequently experienced therapy refractory RV failure. Urgent PLAD implantation was performed and the patient successfully underwent double-lung transplantation after 215 days of PLAD support. No major PLAD-associated complications occurred and full recovery of RV function could be observed after double-lung transplantation.