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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001; 49(1): 35-40
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-9917
Original Cardiovascular
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

The Effect of Cardiopulmonary Lymphatic Obstruction on Heart and Lung Function

Y. Cui, J. D. Urschel, N. J. Petrelli
  • Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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Many thoracic surgical procedures involve excision or destruction of intrathoracic and mediastinal lymphatics. It is widely assumed that the mediastinal lymphatic system is surgically expendable, and that destruction of mediastinal lymphatics has no significant adverse physiological effect. Cardiac lymphatic obstruction may give rise to cardiac lymphedema and impaired cardiac function. Similarly, obstruction of pulmonary lymphatics may result in pulmonary perivascular lymphedema, endothelial injury, and pulmonary artery hypertension. This review summarizes the possible deleterious effects of intrathoracic lymphatic destruction and the benefits of pharmacological and surgical enhancement of active lymph drainage.

Key words:

Cardiac lymphatic obstruction - Pulmonary lymphatic obstruction - Endothelial injury - Lymphedema - Pulmonary hypertension

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Dr. Yingjie Cui

Department of Thoracic Surgery First Hospital, Beijing Medical University

Xishiku Dajie 8

Xicheng Qu

Beijing 100034

The People's Republic of China

Fax: +8610-66176450

Email: ycui3103@hotmail.com