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Objective To study the curative effectiveness of Itraconazole in the treatment of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis following bilateral lung transplantation.Methods One patients undergoing bilateral lung transplantation was readmitted at 8-month postoperatively due to cough, sputum, and fever. Sputum culture reported positive Aspergillus flavus. Chest X-ray manifested bilateral lung infiltration. Chest CT scan showed multiple small cavities. Itraconazole (Sporanox) therapy was performed.Results Sputum smear and culture reported negative aspergillus at sixth of Itraconazole therapy. Patient’s symptoms after Itraconazole treatment for 10 days were improved obviously. Chest CT scan showed the lung lesion still existed. After treatment by Itraconazole, FK506 dosage was decreased from 3 mg, twice a day to 0.5 mg, once a day.Conclusion Pulmonary aspergillosis is an important complication following lung transplantation. Itraconazole therapy can effectively treat invasive pulmonary aspergillosis following bilateral lung transplantation. Blood drug concentration monitoring indicated the dosage of FK506 was significantly decreased after Itraconazole therapy.
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To determine the value of preoperative cardiopulmonary risk index (CPRI) in predicting the short-term prognosis after lung resection in patients with lung cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Preoperative clinical data were used to generate a cardiac risk index (CRI) and a pulmonary risk index (PRI). And the value of cardiopulmonary risk index (CPRI) consisting of CRI and PRI in predicting postoperative prognosis was estimated in patients who underwent lung resection at Shanghai Chest Hospital in 1999.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 625 consecutive patients were studied. Postoperative complications occurred in 49 patients (7.8%), including 8 deaths within 30 days of operation. In the total group, CRI, PRI and CPRI scores ranged from 1 to 3, 0 to 5 and 1 to 7, respectively. There were 489 patients with CPRI < 4, and 136 with CPRI≥4. Using CPRI≥4 as a threshold for predicting postoperative complications, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rate were 75.5%, 82.8% and 82.2% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The preoperative CPRI is one of the important indexes in predicting the short-term postoperative prognosis for patients with lung cancer. However, it can not completely predict all of postoperative risks, and should be used together with other factors.</p>
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To detect dendritic cells (DC)in the peripheral blood and plasma concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to evaluate their relationship.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The quantitation of DC in the blood was performed in 55 patients with NSCLC, 13 patients with pulmonary benign diseases, and 12 healthy volunteers by a novel flow cytometric assay. The concentration of VEGF in the plasma was measured by ELISA kit.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant difference was found in the levels of DC and VEGF between the patients with pulmonary benign diseases and healthy volunteers (P>0.05). In comparison with subjects of healthy volunteers and pulmonary benign diseases, the level of DC was significantly decreased, while that of VEGF was significantly increased in the patients with NSCLC(P < 0.05 to 0.01). The levels of DC and VEGF in the peripheral blood of NSCLC were closely associated with TNM stages and lymph node metastasis. However, no correlation was found among the levels of DC and VEGF and age, gender, cell differentiation and histologic classification. There was a negative correlation between the VEGF concentration and the DC counts.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The decline of DC count in peripheral blood and the enhancement of plasma VEGF are remarkably related to the malignancy of NSCLC. And VEGF overexpression may be one of mechanisms of DC maturation and differentiation inhibition in patients with NSCLC.</p>
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Objective To explore the surgical indications and safety of bilateral sequential lung transplantation in 9 cases.Methods Between Jan.2003 to June 2005,9 bilateral sequential lung transplantations were performed in Shanghai Chest Hospital.In 2 cases,the resection and re-transplantation of the second lung was done after ventilation and perfusion in the first lung transplantation.In 6 cases,after the first lung was transplanted,ECMO was established with heparin-bonded circuitry and centrifugal pump and the second lung was transplanted.In 1 case,CPB was used during the transplantation of the second lung.Meanwhile,inhaled nitric oxide(INO) therapy(40 ppm) was performed in 7 cases.Results Severe lung edema occurred in 2 cases,and the patients survived only 12 and 36 h respectively.Six cases with ECMO thereafter rided out the operation successfully.Postoperative days ventilated were 36 to 72 h(mean 48 h).Four patients of them discharged in good conditions and have survived 16,14,11,9 months respectively.One patient died of pulmonary infection and emptysis one month after operation.Another patient died of acute renal failure 3 weeks after operation.The operation performed under the support of CPB was unsuccessful because of heavy hemorrhage and severe acidosis.Conclusions Bilateral sequential lung transplantation is a high risk procedure.ECMO can reduce the risk significantly. Inhaled nitric oxide during and after operation is of benefit to stabilization of hemodynamics and reduce ischemic reperfusion injury.