The role of transesophageal echocardiography in evaluation and management of hypoxia following lung transplantation

Abstract

Pulmonary vein thrombosis (PVT) is a potentially fatal complication following lung transplantation (LT). The clinical presentation of PVT is nonspecific and mimics other common postoperative complications such as reperfusion injury, infection, and rejection. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) plays a pivotal role in detecting abnormalities of the pulmonary venous anastomosis in the perioperative period. Echocardiographic findings that warrant concern include a visible thrombus in pulmonary vein, pulmonary vein diameter <5 mm, turbulence on color Doppler, and peak systolic velocity >100 cm/s. Transplant centers should strongly consider TEE in individual patients with unexplained graft failure.