The pleural space and organ transplantation.

Abstract

Pleural disease both before and after organ transplantation has important implications. Pleural effusions are common in candidates for heart, liver, and kidney transplantation. A thoracentesis is not mandatory in these patients, but it should be performed if clinical or radiologic features suggest that the effusion is not the result of organ failure. Posttransplant pleural infections and pleural PTLD relate to the level and duration of immunosuppression and are probably not organ-specific. Organ-specific pleural complications include pleural effusion from hepatic venoocclusive disease, spontaneous pneumothorax associated with obstructive airway disease from chronic GVHD after bone marrow transplantation, and early pleural effusion from urinothorax and late effusion from perirenal lymphocele years after kidney transplantation. The treatment of pleural disease in potential lung transplant candidates should minimize the extent of pleurodesis. Pleural effusions are expected sequelae after lung transplantation, and they may be harbingers of acute rejection. Interpleural communication, an expected finding after heart-lung transplantation or double-lung transplantation with a "clamshell" incision, has therapeutic implications.