The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · May 2007
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation: analysis of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) registry.
Some patients with severe primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation (LTx) require gas exchange support using an extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) as a life-saving therapy. A few single-center experiences have been reported with relatively few cases of ECMO after LTx. ⋯ Although the ELSO registry was not primarily established to study ECMO in LTx, it provides valuable insights and evidence that there is indeed an appreciable salvage rate with the use of ECMO for PGD after LTx. Clearly, this is a very high-risk patient population, and no single center can accumulate a large experience of ECMO for this specific indication. These data, however, underscore the importance of developing a specific registry for patients put on ECLS devices so that we can better study the outcomes, determine optimum treatment strategies, and optimize patient and device selection, and thus improve the outcomes of patients requiring this unique therapy.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Apr 2007
Long-term follow-up after conversion from intravenous epoprostenol to oral therapy with bosentan or sildenafil in 13 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Epoprostenol significantly improves function and survival in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) but is associated with many risks and side effects. Furthermore, effective oral therapy is now available. We report our long-term experience with 13 patients from among 118 treated with epoprostenol who were able to be weaned to oral therapy, including 6 with persistently abnormal hemodynamics (mean pulmonary artery pressure > or = 35 mm Hg). ⋯ Weaning from epoprostenol to sildenafil or bosentan with sustained clinical improvement is possible, even with persistent pulmonary hypertension; however, patients with persistently abnormal hemodynamics are at risk for hemodynamic and clinical deterioration and require close follow-up.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Apr 2007
High incidence of venous thromboembolic events in lung transplant recipients.
Previous studies have reported a 12% incidence of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) in lung transplant recipients (LTRs). Characterization of risk factors for VTEs in LTRs is lacking. We identified the incidence and risk factors associated with post-transplant VTEs. ⋯ Analysis of a cohort of LTRs for a median period of 1.5 years revealed a VTE incidence much higher than previously reported, especially within the first month after transplantation.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Apr 2007
Intravenous epoprostenol in inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy may be a cure for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) with proximal obstruction. Conversely, short-term prognosis is poor for inoperable CTEPH patients with distal obstruction. Vascular remodeling lesions can be found in lungs of patients with CTEPH. Little is known about epoprostenol therapy in inoperable distal CTEPH patients. ⋯ Long-term treatment with intravenous epoprostenol improves exercise capacity and hemodynamic parameters in patients with inoperable distal CTEPH. Epoprostenol may be used as bridge therapy in CTEPH patients awaiting lung transplantation.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Apr 2007
Early institution of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation improves outcome.
Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation (LTx) carries a significant mortality and clinical management is controversial. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used infrequently for recovery from acute lung injury (ALI) in this setting. We reviewed our experience with ECMO after primary LTx. ⋯ Our data suggest that, in addition to prolonged ventilation and pharmacologic support, ECMO should be considered as a bridge to recovery from PGD in lung transplantation. Early institution of ECMO may lead to diminished mortality in the setting of ALI despite the high incidence of MOF. Late institution of ECMO was associated with 100% mortality in this investigation.