Management strategies for pulmonary vein thrombosis following single lung transplantation

Pulmonary vein thrombosis following lung transplantation is an infrequently reported and often fatal vascular complication. Two cases of early pulmonary vein thrombosis following single lung transplantation are described. Both patients underwent surgical thrombectomy and anastomotic reconstruction following institution of cardiopulmonary bypass, but died of multiorgan failure within 5 days of diagnosis. The efficacy of transesophageal echocardiography as a diagnostic modality, as well as medical and surgical management strategies for thrombectomy, are discussed.