Joint transplantation of the heart and lungs. Past experience and present potentials

The history of experimental and clinical attempts at allogenic transplantation of the heart and lungs is reviewed and the physiological, technical and pathological implications of this procedure are illustrated by the unreported case of a 49 year-old male who underwent cardiopulmonary transplantation for terminal respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive airways disease and cor pulmonale. While there have been dramatic complications, the patient survived 23 days without major signs of cardiopulmonary dysfunction. The surgical technique, the post-operative management and the vicissitudes of this third human cardiopulmonary graft are described and the promises of this method discussed.