[Bronchiolitis obliterans after lung transplantation]

Presse Med. 1992 May;21(17):816-20.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Lung transplantation has become a realistic treatment in some patients with severe respiratory impairment or severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. Immunosuppression therapy is about the same in all transplantation units and includes cyclosporin, corticosteroids and azathioprine. The diagnosis of acute rejection episodes has been greatly facilitated by the histological study of transbronchial biopsies obtained by endoscopy. Improvements in the short-term prognosis of these patients have made it possible to individualize an unusual and delayed complication: bronchiolitis obliterans. This progressive and diffuse obstruction followed by destruction of the transplant's bronchioles is interpreted as a consequence of chronic rejection. The diagnosis of bronchiolitis obliterans is difficult and rests essentially on degradation of the respiratory function resisting to increased immunosuppression. Some viral infections perhaps contribute to its development, and it may be so severe as to require another lung transplantation.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bronchiolitis Obliterans / complications*
  • Bronchiolitis Obliterans / immunology
  • Bronchiolitis Obliterans / microbiology
  • Bronchiolitis Obliterans / pathology
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Lung Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Lung Transplantation / methods
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / etiology
  • Virus Diseases / microbiology

Substances

  • Cyclosporine