CARDIAC TRANSPLANTATION

Removal of lung parenchyma results in reduction of the pulmonary capillary bed. The decrease in pulmonary capillary bed is well tolerated by patients with otherwise normal lungs but in patients with pulmonary dysfunction this may result in postoperative pulmonary hypertension. Unlike most general surgical procedures where cardiovascular complications are the major cause of perioperative morbidity and mortality, in thoracic surgical population respiratory complications are the predominant cause of perioperative morbidity and mortality (9,10). ...