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Sequential bilateral lung transplantation for pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis
G Stamatis1, H R Zerkowski, N Doetsch
1Center for Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery, Ruhrlandklinik, Essen, Germany.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|October 1, 1993
Summary
Sequential bilateral lung transplantation successfully treated a patient with pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis and severe pulmonary hypertension. The patient recovered well with normalized heart and lung function, showing no signs of graft rejection 18 months post-transplant.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Transplant Surgery
Background:
- Lung transplantation is a viable treatment for end-stage pulmonary disease.
- Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare condition causing severe lung dysfunction.
- Pre-transplant evaluation is crucial for patient selection and management.
Observation:
- A 32-year-old male patient with pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis presented with severe pulmonary hypertension.
- Preoperative assessment revealed a low right ventricular ejection fraction of 0.27.
- The patient underwent sequential bilateral lung transplantation.
Findings:
- Post-transplantation, the patient demonstrated significant improvement in pulmonary and cardiac function.
- Hemodynamic parameters normalized 18 months after the procedure.
- No clinical or histopathologic evidence of lung allograft rejection was observed.
Implications:
- Sequential bilateral lung transplantation can effectively manage severe pulmonary hypertension secondary to pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis.
- This case highlights the potential for successful long-term outcomes in rare pulmonary diseases treated with lung transplantation.
- Optimized perioperative management and monitoring are key to successful lung transplant outcomes.