Calling Time on Spirometry: Unlocking the Silent Zone in Acute Rejection after Lung Transplantation

摘要

Lung transplantation is the only effective treatment for patients with end-stage lung disease, yet median survival is only 6 years and significantly shorter than that observed with other solid-organ transplants ( ). Acute cellular rejection (ACR) causing graft failure is the major cause of death in the first year, and is also a risk factor for chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) ( ). The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation reported that 28% of lung transplant recipients experience at least one episode of treated ACR within the first year ( ). Graft rejection and transplant failure place an immense burden on both patients and healthcare systems, so the detection and treatment of ACR is paramount.