Prevention and Management of Intraoperative Disasters During Lung Transplant

Each step of the lung transplant process-including donor explant, recipient explant and subsequent allograft implantation, and the use of mechanical circulatory support-presents challenges that could result in intraoperative disasters. Prevention and successful management of intraoperative complications during lung transplant can rescue the patient from potentially catastrophic outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of the most likely scenarios that may lead to intraoperative disasters, ways to prevent such complications, and how to effectively manage them when they arise.