RESUMEN
Objective To summarize the successful experience of three cases of heart-lung transplantations performed in our institute.Methods From July 2003 to August 2012,three patients,with diagnosis of end-stage heart-lung diseases,received heart-lung transplantation in our institute.One case was diagnosed as congenital atrial septal defect,Eisenmanger syndrome,NYHA class Ⅳ; one was dilated cardiomyopathy with moderate/severe pulmonary arterial hypertension,NYHA class Ⅲ-Ⅳ,one was diagnosed as double outlet left ventricle (DOLV) with ventricle septal defect and stenosis of pulmonary artery and its left and right branches,NYHA class Ⅲ-Ⅳ.Donor hearts were preserved with UW solution,donor lungs were preserved with Euro-Collin solution in case one and with low potassium dextran containing prostaglandin E1 in the others.Extensive disinfection and strict scrutiny were implemented postoperatively.Immunosuppressive therapy included administration of zenapax or basiliximab preoperatively,methylprednisolone during the operation,and cyclosporine a/tacrolimus + prednisone + mycophenolate postoperatively.Surgical hemostasis is of great importance,as the total pleural effusion reaches 14 640 ml within 31 days postoperatively in case two.Strict postoperative disinfection and isolation were implemented,and management of the respiratory tract was intensified.Therapeutic bronchoscopy was performed frequently for sputum suction.In case two,bronchoscopy was used thirteen times within 40 days after transplantation.Broad-spectrum antibiotics and antifungal antibiotics were used for infection control.Results All three patients were discharged after recovery from operation.Case one died of obstructive bronchitis and lung failure caused by chronic rejection four years and ten months postoperatively.Case two died of sudden cerebrovascular accident 68 days after operation.Case three survives more than one year postoperatively so far and is still alive.Conclusion Proper preservation of the donor heart and lung,perfect surgical hemostasis,strict infection control,frequent application of bronchoscopy and appropriate immunosuppressive management are critical to the success of heart-lung transplantation.