Anesthetic considerations for lung transplantation

Abstract

Since the first lung transplantation, developments in surgical techniques, immunosuppressants, preservation solutions, monitoring devices, anesthetic agents, and drugs and devices for hemodynamic support have resulted in improved survival rates after lung transplantation. Lung transplantation is a high-risk procedure and end-stage lung disease is frequently accompanied by compromised cardiopulmonary function. Therefore, a highly trained cardiothoracic anesthesiologist is required during the procedure. As various factors related to anesthesia may have important effects on the prognosis of the patient after the lung transplantation, an anesthesiologist must not only be familiar with the use of various medications and monitoring devices, but also understand the patient’s pathophysiology and the surgical procedure.