Medical complications after lung transplantation

Abstract

Despite remarkable progress in short-term functional and survival outcomes following lung transplantation, long-term outcomes remain limited due to a multitude of medical complications caused predominantly by immunosuppressive protocols. Although chronic allograft rejection and infection account for the majority of deaths beyond the first year after lung transplantation, a large number of other medical problems contribute significantly to excess mortality and morbidity. This article reviews the most frequent and important medical complications of lung transplantation, other than rejection and infection, with an emphasis on complications that involve the respiratory tract.