Delayed right heart failure following lung transplantation

Chest. 1996 Feb;109(2):575-7. doi: 10.1378/chest.109.2.575.

Abstract

Dynamic right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO) has been reported following lung transplantation for pulmonary hypertension, usually in association with the use of inotropic agents. This report describes delayed severe right-sided heart failure associated with right ventricular outflow tract obstruction following sequential bilateral lung transplantation and closure of a ventricular septal defect. The patient had no evidence of outflow tract obstruction in the early posttransplant period but developed progressive right heart failure more than 2 months later. Catheterization revealed dynamic RVOTO and an elevated right ventricular end-diastolic pressure. The patient was treated with metoprolol tartrate and diltiazem hydrochloride with resolution of the outflow tract obstruction and heart failure. This case demonstrates that RVOTO can occur in the late posttransplant period and must be included in the differential diagnosis for patients who develop right-sided heart failure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / therapeutic use
  • Cardiac Output, Low / drug therapy
  • Cardiac Output, Low / etiology*
  • Diltiazem / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lung Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Metoprolol / therapeutic use
  • Postoperative Complications*
  • Time Factors
  • Ventricular Outflow Obstruction / drug therapy
  • Ventricular Outflow Obstruction / etiology

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Diltiazem
  • Metoprolol