#7710: IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT MAY DEVELOP AFTER LUNG TRANSPLANTATION

Patients receiving donated lungs may develop arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine in Texas reviewed the charts of all lung transplant recipients in 2006 and 2007. Of the 75 patients who underwent lung transplant, 38 percent developed arrhythmias within 30 days of transplantation. The most common arrhythmia was atrial fibrillation, followed by atrial flutter. Researchers speculate that the donor-derived tissue (atrial cuff or pulmonary vein) is a likely source of the arrhythmias passed to lung recipients.

#6834: SHINGLES COMMON AFTER LUNG TRANSPLANTATION

Herpes zoster, or shingles, is a common complication after lung transplantation. Israeli researchers reviewed 198 lung transplants performed at their institution over a 7-year period and continued to follow up with patients for a median time of 34 months. Twenty-three episodes of shingles occurred in 23 patients (11 percent); however, antiviral prophylaxis was protective against shingles. Furthermore, treatment with the antibody RATG also increased the incidence of shingles.

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Source: Jennifer Stawarz
American College of Chest Physicians