Critical care outcomes in the hematologic transplant recipient

Critical illness is a dreaded complication in recipients of hematologic stem cell transplantation, with poor survival described in a number of early series. The perception of futility may impact the approach to therapy. Over the last 20 years, there have been significant advances in the application of intensive care, as well as changes in the management of patients before, during, and after transplantation. These advances and changes may have an impact on this traditionally poor survival. This article discusses the outcomes of critical illness in bone marrow and stem cell transplant recipients, and gives possible reasons for the apparent improvement in outcomes seen in more recent series.