The role of extracorporeal life support in the management with severe idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension undergoing lung transplantation: are those patients referred too late?

摘要

BackgroundIdiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension (iPAH) is a relatively minor indication for lung transplantation (LTx) with comparatively poorer outcomes. Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in various forms is increasingly being used in the management of this entity. However, the data and experience with this therapy remains limited. We evaluated the role of ECLS in the management of severe iPAH patients as a bridge to LTx as well as post LTx support.