Vascular complications of lung transplantation

Abstract

Background: The data on vascular anastomotic complications after single-lung and bilateral lung transplantation are scant.

Methods: We reviewed the data on our patients having single and bilateral lung transplantation to examine our experience and management of vascular anastomotic complications.

Results: We retrospectively identified 5 of 109 consecutive patients undergoing lung transplantation who had postoperative pulmonary arterial or venous obstruction. There were 4 women and 1 man (age range, 32 to 53 years). Three patients had left single-lung transplantation, 1 patient had right single-lung transplantation, and 1 patient underwent bilateral sequential lung transplantation. Complications comprised two right-sided and two left-sided pulmonary artery stenoses and one combined left pulmonary arterial and venous obstruction. Isotope perfusion scanning was used in 3 patients and suggested a vascular stenosis in all of them. Pulmonary angiography was used in each as a confirmatory test and to demonstrate anatomic details. Transesophageal echocardiography was used in 1 patient and did not detect a right pulmonary artery stenosis. One patient underwent revision of a pulmonary artery stenosis with a period of warm ischemia and subsequent fatal lung injury. Two revisions were undertaken on cardiopulmonary bypass with a cold blood flush to the transplanted lung. One venous anastomotic angioplasty with stent insertion was performed. Two patients died before treatment. All 5 patients died between 5 and 630 days postoperatively.

Conclusions: Vascular complications carry a high mortality. Reoperation, preferably using cardiopulmonary bypass and a cold blood flush technique to avoid further lung injury, is recommended. In high-risk patients, dilation or stent insertion can be considered.