Lung transplantation for COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome: The British Columbian experience with new disease pathology.

ABSTRACT: Lung transplantation is a life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage lung disease. COVID-19 has been associated with a severe and rapid decline in pulmonary function, in which case lung transplantation has been described to be effective. We herein describe nine patients who underwent lung transplantation for COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome, of whom six were bridged with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The median time of pre-operative observation periods was 54 days to ensure no lung function recovery and the time to wean off ECMO was 3 days. Patients had comparable short-term survival outcomes to non-COVID-19 lung transplant recipients at our institution during the same time period. Lung transplantation for COVID-19-associated lung disease is feasible with comparable short-term outcomes and may liberate patients from extracorporeal supports.

SUBMITTER: Hilzenrat RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9788843 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature