Optimizing post-transplant outcomes in lung transplantation

Lung transplant recipients are at risk of numerous complications, which range from early events, such as primary graft dysfunction, to late events, including opportunistic infection or graft loss caused by chronic rejection. Although lung transplantation is often the only therapeutic option that can improve quality of life and prolong survival for many forms of end-stage lung disease, survival following lung transplantation is significantly worse than survival following transplantation of other solid organs. Carefully choosing potential recipients for listing, maximizing the likelihood that donor organs will function well following implantation, appropriate use of immunosuppressive agents to prevent allograft rejection, prophylactic or pre-emptive strategies to prevent allograft infection and appropriate surveillance to detect significant complications are key to maximizing the likelihood of prolonged graft and patient survival while avoiding significant complications following lung transplantation. Post-transplant outcomes will be optimized by a team approach to comprehensive management of the lung transplantation recipient combined with vigilant surveillance to detect complications in a timely fashion.