Respiratory care of the postoperative lung transplantation patient

The management of patients receiving lung transplantation has been evolving during the last thirty years. Transplant programs have continued to develop both in United States and internationally. Patient evaluations and experiences with procedures help guide the decision as to which type of transplant would best benefit the patient. To care for lung transplantation patients, nurses need an understanding of the alterations in physiology from the procedure. An understanding of the clinical experiences in the areas of immunosuppression, preoperative conditioning, surgical techniques, preservation techniques, ventilatory management, and nursing care have made significant contributions to patient survival.