Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
06:15
Murine Intrapulmonary Tracheal Transplantation: A Model for Investigating Obliterative Airway Disease After Lung Transplantation
Published on: November 10, 2023
Plastic bronchitis: resolution after heart transplantation.
Mai K ElMallah1, Sreekala Prabhakaran, Sarah E Chesrown
1Pediatric Pulmonary Division, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Pediatric Pulmonology
|April 6, 2011
Summary
Plastic bronchitis, a rare airway disease in congenital heart disease patients, often lacks effective treatment. Heart transplantation successfully resolved plastic bronchitis and airway obstruction in a patient with congenital heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Plastic bronchitis (PB) is a rare obstructive airway disease.
- It primarily affects patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) post-surgery.
- The exact cause and effective treatments for PB in this population remain unclear.
Observation:
- A patient with CHD experienced severe obstructive airway disease due to plastic bronchitis.
- This condition persisted despite previous surgical interventions for CHD.
- The patient's clinical status indicated a need for advanced treatment options.
Findings:
- Heart transplantation was performed on the patient with CHD and PB.
- Following the heart transplant, plastic bronchitis resolved.
- Severe obstructive airway disease symptoms significantly improved post-transplantation.
Implications:
- Heart transplantation may be a viable treatment for refractory plastic bronchitis in select CHD patients.
- This case highlights a potential therapeutic strategy for a rare and challenging condition.
- Further research is warranted to explore the role of heart transplantation in managing PB associated with CHD.
