Anesthetic Considerations in Transplant Recipients for Nontransplant Surgery

As solid organ transplantation increases and patient survival improves, it will become more common for these patients to present for nontransplant surgery. Recipients may present with medical problems unique to the transplant, and important considerations are necessary to keep the transplanted organ functioning. A comprehensive preoperative examination with specific focus on graft functioning is required, and the anesthesiologist needs pay close attention to considerations of immunosuppressive regimens, blood product administration, and the risk benefits of invasive monitoring in these immunosuppressed patients. This article reviews the posttransplant physiology and anesthetic considerations for patients after solid organ transplantation.