Search

We prospectively determined the safety and efficacy of valganciclovir for prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in at-risk (donor positive/recipient negative [D+/R-] or R+) lung transplant recipients. We also determined the length of prophylaxis required to significantly decrease both CMV infection and disease. Consecutive lung transplant recipients surviving >30 days (n = 90) received combination prophylaxis with intravenous (i.v.) ganciclovir (GCV) 5 mg/kg/day and cytomegalovirus immune globulin (CMV-IVIG) followed by valganciclovir (450 mg twice-daily) to complete 180, 270 or 365 days of prophylaxis. This group was compared to a historical group (n = 140) who received high-dose oral acyclovir following i.v. GCV and CMV-IVIG. CMV disease was significantly lower in patients receiving valganciclovir compared to acyclovir (2.2% vs. 20%; p < 0.0001). Freedom from CMV infection and disease was significantly greater (p < 0.02) in patients receiving 180, 270 or 365 days of prophylaxis (90%, 95% and 90%, respectively) compared to those receiving 100-179 days (64%) or < 100 days (59%). No patient receiving valganciclovir died during the study. Following prophylaxis with i.v. GCV and CMV-IVIG, valganciclovir is safe and effective for prevention of CMV infection and disease in at-risk lung transplant recipients. The required length of prophylaxis was at least 180 days.

Objectives To demonstrate a standardized approach for the evaluation of cleft lip and palate by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography. Design This was a retrospective study of seven fetuses with confirmed facial cleft anomalies. Post-natal findings were compared to a blinded review of 3D volume data from abnormal fetuses with seven other normal fetuses that were matched for gestational age. Upper lip integrity was examined by 3D multiplanar imaging. Sequential axial views were used to evaluate the maxillary tooth-bearing alveolar ridge contour and anterior tooth socket alignment. Alveolar ridge disruption suggested cleft palate. Premaxillary protrusion, either by multiplanar imaging or surface rendering, indicated bilateral cleft lip and palate. Results Post-natal findings confirmed bilateral cleft lip and palate (four cases), unilateral cleft lip and palate (one case), and unilateral cleft lip (two cases). Multiplanar review identified all three fetuses with unilateral cleft lip, three of four fetuses with bilateral cleft lip, one fetus with unilateral cleft palate, and three of four fetuses with bilateral cleft palate. Surface rendering correctly identified all cleft lips, with the exception of one fetus, who was thought to have a unilateral cleft lip and palate, despite the actual presence of a bilateral lesion. One cleft palate defect was directly visualized by 3D surface rendering. No false-positives occurred. Conclusion Interactive review of standardized 3D multiplanar images allows one to evaluate labial defects, abnormalities of the maxillary tooth-bearing alveolar ridge, and presence of premaxillary protrusion for detecting cleft lip and palate anomalies. Surface rendering may increase diagnostic confidence for normal or abnormal studies. This technology provides an array of visualization tools that may improve the prenatal characterization of facial clefts, particularly of the palate. Copyright © 2000 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Study objectives To demonstrate that pulmonary capillaritis and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) occur and are isolated to the lung and therefore not part of systemic vasculitis at the time of the DAH episode in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). Design Lung biopsy specimens from patients with DAH were reviewed and those with the histologic features of pulmonary capillaritis were identified. Setting The patients were selected from seven Denver-area general hospitals. Patients Fifty-eight patients with biopsy specimen proved pulmonary capillaritis (1991 to 1997) were identified and classified according to disease. Three patients met the American Rheumatism Association criteria for RA and one patient fulfilled clinical and serologic criteria for MCTD. Interventions All clinical, laboratory, and radiographic data on initial presentation and at follow-up periods were extracted from the charts of the four study patients. Histologic slides were reviewed and immunofluorescent studies of lung tissue were performed. Measurements and results All four patients had a connective tissue disease diagnosis prior to the DAH episode. Symptoms referable to pulmonary capillaritis were of short duration (2 to 14 days) and there was no clinical or serologic evidence for an accompanying systemic vasculitis, in particular glomeronephritis. Three patients, two with RA and one with MCTD, demonstrated pulmonary immune complex deposition. Three resolved their illness following IV methylprednisilone and cyclophosphamide therapy. One RA patient died following a myocardial infarction. In the three survivors, no further episodes of DAH have occurred after a mean of 24 months (range, 10 to 48 months). Conclusions To our knowledge, these are the first cases of DAH due to pulmonary capillaritis documented to complicate RA and MCTD. The capillaritis was not part of a systemic vasculitis at the time of the DAH episode, but rather represented an isolated small-vessel vasculitis of the lungs in this group of patients. Immune complex deposition may be involved in the pathogenesis.

short ofbreath with stridor while on a commercial airline. Upon arrival attheairport terminal, hesustained a cardiopulmonary arrest. Endotracheal intubation was complicated bythepresence ofanapparent massinhis upperairway. Subsequent history revealed that hehad symptoms ofasinusproblem afewdays earlier andhad taken over-the-counter sinusmedications. Thepatient smoked apack ofcigarettes aday. There was nohistory of alcohol abuse, allergies, orforeign body aspiration. Hedid nottake anyprescription medications. Physical Examination Onarrival intheICU, histemperature was 37.2°C; pulse, 144beats/min; BP,150/95 mm Hg; respirations, 14 breaths/min on mechanical ventilation. Hewas ahealthy appearing man whowasintubated endotracheally. There was norash orlymphadenopathy; physical examination of thehead, neck, chest, abdomen, andextremities was normal. Neurological exam was notable forprofound coma with no response tonoxious stimuli, intermittent generalized myoclonic jerks, diminished deep tendon reflexes, and anextensor plantar response bilaterally.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Interstitial lung disease includes a heterogeneous group of disorders that leads to respiratory insufficiency and death in a significant number of patients. Lung transplantation is a therapeutic option in select candidates. RECENT FINDINGS The indications, transplant procedure options, and outcomes continue to evolve. Various recipient comorbidities influence the choice of procedure in patients with interstitial lung disease. Single lung transplants are used as the procedure of choice and bilateral transplants are reserved for patients with suppurative lung disease and patients with pulmonary hypertension. Issues unique to patients with interstitial lung disease affect the morbidity, mortality and recurrence of the disease. SUMMARY Lung transplantation is an effective therapy for respiratory failure in interstitial lung disease with survival following transplant being similar to that achieved in transplant recipients with other diseases.

a p o u h e s ung transplantation has had increasing success and has ecome the mainstay of therapy for selected patients ith end-stage lung and pulmonary vascular diseases. ver the past 10 years, however, the number of recipents on the waiting list has been progressively increasng and now far exceeds the number of organs availble. Consequently, the median waiting time for lung ransplantation has nearly doubled in the USA, and ome centers in Europe have reported that up to 50% of atients awaiting lung transplantation die while on the aiting list. A number of strategies have been advocated to ncrease the number of donors. Some centers have eveloped living related lung donor programs, whereas thers have focused on non–heart-beating donors and enotransplantation as strategies to ultimately help to alliate for the lack of donors. Although living related onors have been used successfully at some centers nd use of non-heart-beating donors has been shown to e feasible in humans, these strategies have remained imited to a small number of patients because of techical, medical and ethical considerations. The persistent shortage of lung donors has led to ncreasing interest in re-evaluating the existing lung onor pool. Indeed, the current selection criteria were eveloped in the early era of lung transplantation and ere designed to select “ideal” donors only. Hence, the umber of lungs suitable for transplantation has been imited to approximately 10% or less of the total multirgan donor pool. These criteria, however, are largely rbitrary and are not based upon rigorous scientific vidence. Ware and colleagues have recently suggested hat if the criteria of pulmonary edema and alveolar uid clearance were used, nearly 41% of lungs now

We report a case of left lower lobe torsion in a patient who had undergone bilateral lung transplantation for α 1 -antitrypsin deficiency. The patient experienced acute pulmonary hypertension and hypoxemia on post-operative Day 3 and the chest X-ray showed bilateral alveolar infiltrates and a new focal consolidation of the left lower lobe. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed complete obstruction of the left lower lobe bronchus and abnormal rotation of the left upper lobe bronchus suggesting torsion, which was confirmed by pulmonary angiography and ultimately at thoracotomy. The possibility of acute lobar torsion should be considered in lung transplant recipients who demonstrate evidence of acute respiratory insufficiency in the early post-operative period.

We report a case of Mycobacterium marinum infection in a lung transplant recipient who presented with nodules on the hand and forearm following exposure to fish-tank water of a superficial hand burn. Skin biopsy revealed granulomatous inflammation and fibrosis. Tissue culture grew Mycobacterium marinum. The patient underwent surgical excision of the lesions and treatment with ethambutol and azithromycin for 12 months and experienced complete resolution of the infection. Transplant recipients who receive immunosuppressive therapy are at increased risk for opportunistic infections. For a patient with nodular lesions on the extremities, exposure to fish, fish-tank water, or swimming should suggest infection with Mycobacterium marinum.

The goal of this study was to evaluate serial cytomegalovirus (CMV) blood culture, antigenemia testing, and qualitative and quantitative plasma CMV PCR for their ability to predict CMV disease and thus to direct preemptive therapy after lung transplantation. Forty-one patients provided 414 samples for blood culture, 290 samples for antigenemia testing, and 432 samples for PCR. Seven patients developed 11 episodes of CMV disease. CMV PCR had sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive and negative predictive values of 79, 99, 84, and 99%, respectively, compared with 48, 99, 85, and 98%, respectively, for antigenemia testing, and 8, 100, 100, and 97%, respectively, for culture. Only quantitative CMV PCR correlated with disease stage: asymptomatic patients had a mean of 1,500 CMV DNA copies/ml, whereas patients who developed CMV disease had 5,087 copies/ml 12 to 4 weeks before symptoms and 32,000 copies/ml at diagnosis. Furthermore, CMV PCR-measured DNA increased 5- to 10-fold immediately preceding symptoms. PCR and antigenemia test values decreased with anti-CMV therapy. CMV DNA (as detected by PCR), but not antigenemia, persisted in patients who later developed recurrent CMV disease. The data indicate that lung transplant recipients will benefit from monitoring of CMV disease by plasma CMV PCR.

Background Single-lung transplantation for emphysema may be complicated by acute native lung hyperinflation (ANLH) with hemodynamic and ventilatory compromise. Some groups advocate the routine use of independent lung ventilation, double-lung transplant, or right-lung transplant with or without contralateral lung volume reduction surgery in high-risk patients. The goal of this study was to determine the incidence of ANLH and identify its potential predictors. Methods We reviewed 51 consecutive single-lung transplants for emphysema. Symptomatic ANLH was defined as mediastinal shift and diaphragmatic flattening on chest x-ray with hemodynamic or respiratory failure requiring cardiopressor agents or independent lung ventilation. Preoperative and postoperative physiologic and hemodynamic data were analyzed from both recipients and donors. Results Sixteen patients developed radiographic ANLH; 8 were symptomatic, 2 severely so. We could not identify high-risk patients before transplant by pulmonary function tests, predicted donor total lung capacity (TLC)/actual recipient TLC ratio, pulmonary artery pressures, or the side transplanted. There was a trend toward an increased incidence of symptomatic ANLH in patients with bullous emphysema on chest computed tomography, but this was accounted for primarily by patients with α 1 -antitrypsin deficiency (4/13 vs 4/38 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, P = 0.10). No patient required cardiopulmonary bypass or inhaled nitric oxide intraoperatively. Patients with acute native lung hyperinflation did not have increased reperfusion edema as measured by chest x-ray score or PaO 2 /F I O 2 ratio. Compared to patients without ANLH, symptomatic patients had longer ventilator times (64.9 ± 14.6 hours vs 40.4 ± 3.9, P = 0.02, ANOVA) and longer lengths of stay (19.3 ± 2.1 days vs 13.7 ± 1.3, P = 0.07), but 30-day survival was 100%. Two symptomatic patients required independent lung ventilation or inhaled nitric oxide; the others were managed with decreased minute ventilation, early extubation, and cardiopressor agents. No patient required early lung volume reduction surgery or retransplantation. Acute native lung hyperinflation had no effect on FEV 1 or 6-minute walk results at 1 year; survival at 1, 2, or 3 years; or the rate of acute rejection, infection, or bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome greater than grade 2. Conclusion Acute native lung hyperinflation is common radiographically but is rarely clinically severe. Although there was a trend toward an increase in symptomatic ANLH in patients with bullous emphysema, a high-risk group could not be identified preoperatively. Our results do not support the routine use of bilateral lung transplant, the exclusive use of right single-lung transplant, simultaneous lung volume reduction surgery, or independent lung ventilation for patients with emphysema. Management strategies should be employed that limit overdistension of the native lung and lead to early extubation.

Background . Bilateral lung transplantation (BLT) without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may exacerbate reperfusion injury to the initially engrafted lung because of increases in pulmonary flow during implantation of the second graft. Methods . In a retrospective review of 23 BLT patients, we hypothesized that BLT without CPB injures the first transplanted lung measured by acute and late graft dysfunction compared to the second transplanted lung. Of the 23 BLT, 19 underwent transplantation without CPB while 4 patients were placed on CPB secondary to hemodynamic instability. Results . Acute graft function was assessed by radiographic scoring of lung quadrants (blinded radiologist; 0=no infiltrate; 1=infiltrate; maximum=2 per lung) and by arterial/alveolar oxygen tension ratios (PaO 2 /FiO 2 ) ratios. Late graft function was evaluated by quantitative perfusion scan. Lung perfusion was graded as abnormal if less than 50% on the right or less than 45% on the left (Fisher's exact). Radiographic scores were not different between first and second implanted lungs at 1 and 24 hours, PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratios at 1 and 24 hours were 273 ± 26 and 312 ± 23, respectively, and perfusion scans at 3 and 12 months revealed normal differential blood flow. Conclusions . These findings suggest no acute or chronic differences occur between the first or second transplanted lung completed without CPB.