Intrathoracic organ transplantation from donors with meningitis: a single-center 20-year experience.

Background: Availability of cadaveric organs continues to be the key factor limiting the number of transplants performed. Donor with bacterial meningitis is often considered to be controversial for organ retrieval. The purpose of this retrospective study was to review the long-term outcome of orthotopic heart and lung transplantation at our institution, from donors who died as a result of meningitis.

ATP-sensitive potassium channels mediate vasodilatation produced by calcitonin gene-related peptide in human internal mammary but not gastroepiploic arteries.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of action of calcitonin gene-related peptide-induced vasodilatation of human gastroepiploic and internal mammary arteries. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (0.1-100 nmol L-1) elicited relaxations of preconstricted vessels, with a significantly greater effect in the gastroepiploic artery (P < 0.

The role of cryotherapy for airway complications after lung and heart-lung transplantation.

Objective: Although airway problems after lung and heart-lung transplantation have been greatly reduced due to changes in surgical technique, excessive granulation tissue at the anastomosis may threaten airway patency. Treatment options include electrocautery, dilation, laser coagulation and stent placement however, recurrence remains a problem. Cryotherapy, the controlled application of extreme cold, is effective at causing cell lysis in granulation tissue and may therefore be effective after lung transplantation for airway problems arising from granulation stenosis.

Medium term results of direct bronchial arterial revascularisation using IMA for single lung transplantation (SLT with direct revascularisation).

Objective: To describe a technique of direct revascularisation of the bronchial artery using the left IMA and assess its medium term results in patients undergoing left single lung transplant (SLT).

Methods: Between March 1991 and September 1993, 22 patients who underwent direct bronchial revascularisation at the time of left SLT (20 pedicled IMA, one free IMA, and one direct anastomosis to the aorta) have been followed up for a minimum period of 1 year (mean 30 +/- 12 months). Their mean age was 47.

Early experience with single lung transplantation for emphysema with simultaneous volume reduction of the contralateral lung.

Objective: Single lung transplantation (SLT) for emphysema has given satisfactory long term results in most patients. The mediastinal shift caused by the native emphysematous lung may require further surgical intervention in selected cases.

Methods: We report a technique of simultaneous SLT and volume reduction of the contralateral lung in 4 patients with end stage respiratory failure secondary to emphysema.