Lung Transplant Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Lung Transplant, including details on risks, prognosis, procedure, surgery, organ donation.

Chest tube suction-associated unilateral negative pressure pulmonary edema in a lung transplant patient.

Memtsoudis SG, Rosenberger P, Sadovnikoff N

Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Division of Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. smemtsoudis@partners.org

We describe a 29-yr-old male, status post-bilateral lung transplant, who developed unilateral negative pressure pulmonary edema induced by chest tube suction in association with bilateral bronchial anastomotic strictures. We conclude that negative pressure pulmonary edema may occur secondary to high levels of negative pressure applied to the intrapleural space via chest tubes in the presence of partial large airway obstruction. Post-lung transplant patients may be especially at risk because of compromised lymphatic drainage.

Published 24 June 2005 in Anesth Analg, 101(1): 38-40, table of contents.
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