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Int J Angiol 2024; 33(02): 128-131
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1782536
Review Article

Pulmonary Embolism in Donor Lungs—Incidence and Management

Juliano Lentz Carvalho 
1   Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
,
Suresh Keshavamurthy 
2   Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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Abstract

In efforts to decrease the mortality on the waiting list for lung transplantation, alternatives to increase the donor pool have been explored. Caution must be used when accepting donor lungs with pulmonary embolism (PE), as prior evidence has shown mixed results after transplantation of donor lungs with PE. However, the mere diagnosis of PE on imaging should not be the sole reason for the exclusion of these donors for transplant, and they should be reviewed as any other donor. A comprehensive evaluation should be performed for every donor, with a special focus on abnormalities of gas exchange and gross pathologic characteristics during procurement.

Keywords

embolectomy - thrombectomy - thrombolysis - transplant - deep vein thrombosis - surgery - pulmonary embolism


Publication History

Article published online:
15 March 2024

© 2024. International College of Angiology. This article is published by Thieme.

Thieme Medical Publishers
333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

 

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