Heart-lung transplantation: lessons learned and future hopes.
Since March, 1982, 33 patients have undergone cardiopulmonary transplantation. Nineteen were discharged from the hospital following the operation, and 16 continue to do well. Eight patients have survived 1 year, 5 patients 2 years, and 1 patient 3 years. Often survival has been influenced most by the selection of candidates, as no patient who had undergone a previous sternotomy survived (3 of 3). All 7 early (between 30 and 72 days) and 3 late (145 to 466 days) deaths were related to infection. Methods for ex vivo preservation of the heart-lung bloc have included storage at 4 degrees C, cardiopulmonary bypass and profound hypothermia, and autoperfusion of the heart-lung bloc. The last technique is original and currently is preferred for distant procurement. Because dehiscence of the tracheal anastomosis has occurred in 3 patients, a sutured line is now encircled with a wrap of omentum. Isolated rejection of the lung is frequent in the first three weeks following operation and has been controlled with methylprednisolone. Late survivors have shown a mild restrictive lung disorder that has not progressed between 6 and 24 months. Bronchoalveolar lavage has been useful for diagnosing infection and providing insight into the immunobiology of the transplanted lung. Although mortality and morbidity have been high, the experiences gained through this series will likely result in an improved outlook for future recipients.