Lung and heart-lung transplantation at the University of Pittsburgh

Clin Transpl. 1997:209-18.

Abstract

The application of lung transplantation as a treatment modality for patients with severe pulmonary disease has changed dramatically since its inception. At the University of Pittsburgh, the criteria for recipient selection continues to evolve and, in an effort to maximize scarce donor organs, the criteria for donor lung acceptance have been extended. Patient survival during the first 3 years after transplantation continues to improve but longer term survival is limited by infectious complications and chronic rejection. In early studies, the utilization of cyclosporine delivered directly to the lungs via aerosol has resulted in dramatic improvement in pulmonary function in recipients with immune mediated allograft injury and has allowed a reduction in systemic immunosuppression. We are hopeful that interventions such as this will result in prolongation of patient survival with less toxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Actuarial Analysis
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection / epidemiology
  • Graft Survival
  • Heart-Lung Transplantation / mortality
  • Heart-Lung Transplantation / physiology
  • Heart-Lung Transplantation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Lung Transplantation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Selection
  • Pennsylvania
  • Reoperation / statistics & numerical data
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Donors / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine