Utilization of Quantitative Computed Tomography Assessment to Identify Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome After Single Lung Transplantation.

Objective: To evaluate quantitative chest computed tomography (CT) methods for the detection of air trapping (AT) and to assess its diagnostic performance for the diagnosis of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) in single lung transplant (SLT) patients.

Methods: Adult patients who had a SLT at a single transplant center and underwent CT scan after transplantation were retrospectively included. CT findings of air trapping were measured by three different methods: expiratory air-trapping index (ATIexp), mean lung density on expiratory acquisition (MLDexp) and expiratory to inspiratory ratio of mean lung density (E/I-ratio(MLD).

Pulmonary rehabilitation improves survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis undergoing lung transplantation.

This study was conducted to evaluate whether a pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP) is independently associated with survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) undergoing lung transplant (LTx). This quasi-experimental study included 89 patients who underwent LTx due to IPF. Thirty-two completed all 36 sessions in a PRP while on the waiting list for LTx (PRP group), and 53 completed fewer than 36 sessions (controls).

Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients With Advanced Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Referred for Lung Transplantation.

Purpose: Currently, pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has a weak recommendation for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and is often recommended for mild to moderate disease. We aimed to investigate the completion rate of PR in patients with advanced IPF, to analyze whether the severity of disease influences PR response and whether there is any difference between subjects who are able or not able to successfully complete the program.

Methods: Patients with IPF referred to lung transplantation (n = 48) were enrolled in an outpatient PR program including 3 times/wk supervised exercise training during 12 wk.

Nocardia nova causing empyema necessitatis afterlung re-transplantation: a case report.

We report herein a case of thoracic infection due to Nocardia nova following lung re-transplantation performed for emphysema related to alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. The infection extended from the lung into the pleural space, thoracic wall, and mediastinum, presenting as pericarditis and empyema necessitatis. Nocardia nova was identified by 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.