Hyperacute lung transplant rejection

Hyperacute lung transplant rejection is a rare, rapid and often fatal form of early post lung transplant complications.

Epidemiology

Hyperacute rejection occurs in the first few hours after reperfusion of the allograft lungs.

Pathology

Following recommencement of blood flow into the allograft, recipient preformed antibodies to donor lung antigens are released and rapidly cause pulmonary edema. Intraoperative pulmonary edema has been observed .

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph and CT

• diffuse consolidation of the entire lungs
• severe acute pulmonary edema

Treatment and prognosis

Plasmapheresis has been trialled. Mortality is very high.

See also

• acute lung transplant rejection