Lung Transplantation PDF

Preface

Almost 30 years since the first successful lung-heart transplant, lung transplantation has come of age. No longer experimental therapy, selected patients with many different end-stage lung diseases can be treated successfully with lung transplantation. The process of lung transplantation is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach, with many specialists interacting in the selection and management of patients. Therefore, a sound understanding of all aspects of critical care and immunology, and related surgical complications is essential to success. This book provides an opportunity to keep readers abreast of advances in the field of lung transplantation remote from their own expertise.

Many recipients live long lives, seen and managed by local health care workers in their own communities. Therefore, a broad understanding of lung transplantation is required for those likely to be involved in the care of these patients, before and after transplantation. We believe that this book will provide them that knowledge.

In this book, leading experts present current evidence and personal experiences in the field of lung transplantation. This is a comprehensive account of contemporary practice of lung transplantation presented in a concise manner, for easy reading and quick reference.

The book is divided into several parts. The first part is an introduction, covering history, immunology, ethics, and organizational structure of a lung transplant program. Part II addresses specific advanced lung diseases that may necessitate lung transplantation. Parts III and IV deal with the transplantation process itself, divided into donor and recipient issues. Parts V–VII address postoperative care as well as early and late medical management. The book concludes with part VIII, speculation on the future of lung replacement therapy.

We reached out to international experts with a wealth of personal knowledge in lung transplantation, producing a state-of-the-art review of this field. We believe this book will appeal to physicians, nurses, surgeons, intensivists, immunologists, pathologists, social workers, donor, and transplant coordinators who are involved in the field. We especially feel that providers who may come in contact with lung transplant patients in community practice will benefit from this work. This is a thorough, up-to-date source on lung transplantation, where we are now approaching 30 years of experience. We believe that the most knowledgeable caregivers will become familiar with this book as an essential aide to care giving.