Lung transplantation at the University of Pittsburgh: 1982 to 1994

Lung transplantation is a growing modality of treatment for patients with end-stage lung disease. In our program, survival has improved significantly in recent experience. Progress in candidate and donor selection, allograft preservation technique, recipient surgery, and postoperative management combine to reduce recipient morbidity and mortality. Although the tailored antibiotic treatment has significantly reduced the risk of bacterial pneumonia within 2 weeks after operation, infection is still a major cause of death for long-term recipients. Extensive studies need to be continued to understand the pathogenesis of OB and to establish the treatment for OB.