Unraveling the spectrum of airway complications following lung transplantation: a comprehensive overview.

Purpose Of Review: This review delves into the intricate landscape of airway complications post lung transplantation. With the rising prevalence of end-stage lung disease and the increasing number of lung transplantation worldwide, understanding and effectively managing airway complications are crucial. Given the nuanced nature of these complications and the array of treatment options available, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how to identify, classify, mitigate risk factors for, and manage these complications.

Primary graft dysfunction.

Purpose Of Review: Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a devastating complication in the acute postoperative lung transplant period, associated with high short-term mortality and chronic rejection. We review its definition, pathophysiology, risk factors, prevention, treatment strategies, and future research directions.

Recent Findings: New analyses suggest donation after circulatory death and donation after brain death donors have similar PGD rates, whereas donors >55 years are not associated with increased PGD risk.

Construct and Predictive Validity of Sarcopenia in Lung Transplant Candidates.

Sarcopenia is associated with disability and death. The optimal definition and clinical relevance of sarcopenia in lung transplantation remain unknown. To assess the construct and predictive validity of sarcopenia definitions in lung transplant candidates.

Relationship between diffusion capacity and small airway abnormality in COPDGene.

Impaired single breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) is associated with emphysema. Small airways disease (SAD) may be a precursor lesion to emphysema, but the relationship between SAD and DLCO is undescribed. We hypothesized that in mild COPD, functional SAD (fSAD) defined by computed tomography (CT) and Parametric Response Mapping methodology would correlate with impaired DLCO.

Mortality and Exacerbations by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Groups ABCD: 2011 Versus 2017 in the COPDGene® Cohort.

The Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) ABCD groupings were recently modified. The GOLD 2011 guidelines defined increased risk as forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV) < 50% predicted or ≥ 2 outpatient or ≥ 1 hospitalized exacerbation in the prior year, whereas the GOLD 2017 guidelines use only exacerbation history. We compared mortality and exacerbation rates in the Genetic Epidemiology of COPD Study cohort (COPDGene) by 2011 (exacerbation history/FEV and dyspnea) versus 2017 (exacerbations and dyspnea) classifications.

Effect of Lung Volume Reduction Surgery on Respiratory Muscle Strength in Advanced Emphysema.

Long-term effects of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) on respiratory muscle strength and effects of age, sex, and emphysema pattern on these changes are unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine the long-term effect of LVRS on respiratory muscle strength changes in severe emphysema. The National Emphysema Treatment Trial was a prospective controlled multicentered trial, comparing LVRS to optimal medical treatment on survival and maximal exercise capacity.

COPD Care in the 21st Century: A Public Health Priority.

COPD is an underdiagnosed, undertreated, and yet largely preventable disease. COPD affects millions of Americans on a daily basis, accounts for tens of thousands of deaths per year, and costs billions to the United States health-care system annually. Further, it impacts the quality of life for patients living with the disease.