The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
-
J. Heart Lung Transplant. · May 2011
A novel approach to the assessment of lymphocytic bronchiolitis after lung transplantation--transbronchial brush.
Lymphocytic bronchiolitis (LB) is the strongest risk factor for subsequent allograft loss due to bronchiolitis obliterative syndrome (BOS); however, it is poorly assessed by transbronchial biopsy (TBBx) because of sampling error, interpretation error and the presence of non-alloimmune airway inflammation. We hypothesized that flow cytometric evaluation of bronchiolar brushings (transbronchial brush, TBBr) may be a better approach. ⋯ TBBr is simple to obtain, low risk, quantitative, and can discriminate between infective and alloimmune LB. It may be a valuable addition to current lung allograft assessment.
-
J. Heart Lung Transplant. · May 2011
Comparative StudyComparison of pulmonary function test and computed tomography volumetry in living lung donors.
We previously proposed calculating forced vital capacity (FVC) by the number of segments for size matching in living-donor lobar lung transplantation (LDLLT). The primary purpose of this study was to compare spirometry-obtained calculations of lower lobe volumes with three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) volumetric images. Our second goal was to compare the data of pulmonary function tests with CT volumetry in living lung donors. ⋯ We confirmed that it would be justified to estimate graft FVC by the number of segments according to the CT volumetric data in LDLLT.
-
J. Heart Lung Transplant. · May 2011
Comparative StudyTricuspid valve repair with left ventricular assist device implantation: is it warranted?
Tricuspid regurgitation is common in patients with advanced heart failure. The ideal operative strategy for managing tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the effect on outcomes of concomitant tricuspid valve repair (TVR) for moderate to severe (3(+)/4(+)) TR at the time of LVAD implantation. ⋯ TVR for ≥ 3(+) TR prolonged operative time and showed similar outcomes compared with LVAD implantation alone. A benefit of performing TVR was not demonstrated. As such, TVR may not be necessary at the time of LVAD implantation.