Contemporary Lung Transplantation

Lung transplantation is a successful therapeutic option for patients with end-stage respiratory failure. Although the clinical outcomes of this procedure have been constantly improving, the care of patients undergoing lung transplantation is still a striking challenge for the entire team involved in the process. The complexity of a clinical lung transplant program requires a trained, multi-specialist team and continuing technical update. Technology provides exciting new opportunities for the improvement of clinical outcomes. This text provides a comprehensive, practical and up-to-date insight into clinical lung transplantation. It moves along the pre-, intra-, and post-operative phases of transplantation. It explores the most relevant surgical, medical and immunological concepts of this field. The content focuses not only on the technical, scientific and medical aspects of lung transplantation, but also on the administrative, regulatory and nursing topics of running a lung transplant program. Rather than presenting purely theoretical chapters, the text sets the focus on clinical dilemmas and practical issues involving all the professionals who actively run a lung transplant program. The reader will be able to access the book for reference on any topic related to clinical care in lung transplantation. This text is intended as a practical resource for surgeons, physicians and health professionals involved in lung transplantation or in setting up a lung transplant program. All chapters are written by experts in their fields and will include the most up to date scientific and clinical information. The overall intent of this publication is to assist the health care provider in all the daily aspects of lung transplantation and to offer a modern, practical source of suggestions and answers.