Bronchial-pulmonary artery fistula after unilateral lung transplantation: a case report

J Heart Lung Transplant. 1997 Jun;16(6):674-7.

Abstract

We report on a right bronchial-pulmonary artery fistula resulting in fatal hemoptysis in a 54-year-old man, 3 months after right unilateral transplantation for end-stage emphysema. The posttransplantation period was complicated by ulcerative tracheobronchial aspergillosis. Early treatment with itraconazole was performed. All samples of bronchial washing, bronchoalveolar lavage, and bronchial and transbronchial biopsy specimens were free of aspergillus after 3 weeks of treatment. Necropsy showed a fistula between the right pulmonary artery and the main right bronchus, situated just beneath the suture line.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anastomosis, Surgical
  • Aspergillosis / pathology
  • Bronchi / pathology
  • Bronchial Fistula / pathology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Fistula / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / pathology
  • Lung Transplantation / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Opportunistic Infections / pathology
  • Postoperative Complications / pathology*
  • Pulmonary Artery / pathology*
  • Pulmonary Artery / surgery
  • Pulmonary Emphysema / pathology
  • Pulmonary Emphysema / surgery*
  • Trachea / pathology