Severe left ventricular failure after double lung transplantation: Pathophysiology and management

Patients undergoing bilateral lung transplantation for end-stage pulmonary hypertension may experience various complications. We describe a patient who underwent transplantation for chronic pigeon breeder's disease, who had secondary pulmonary hypertension and deteriorated right heart function, and who developed severe left heart failure during the weaning phase after successful double lung transplantation. The patient was stabilized with catecholamines and an intra-aortic balloon pump. Left heart function increased within 7 days and normalized at Day 18. Otherwise, the postoperative course was uneventful. J Heart Lung Transplant 2004;23:139-142.