PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - R.M. Kotloff AU - V.N. Ahya TI - Medical complications of lung transplantation AID - 10.1183/09031936.03.00043403 DP - 2004 Feb 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - 334--342 VI - 23 IP - 2 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/23/2/334.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/23/2/334.full SO - Eur Respir J2004 Feb 01; 23 AB - Surgical advances, in conjunction with more effective immunosuppressive strategies, have propelled the field of lung transplantation forward and have made intermediate-term survival an achievable goal. Nonetheless, the post-transplant course is often marked by complications that threaten both the quality and duration of the recipient's life. Many of the medical complications that arise are the direct consequence of the need to administer potent immunosuppressive agents, with their attendant risks of infection, malignancy and drug toxicity. This article will review the major medical complications, excluding allograft rejection, which may be encountered in the lung transplant recipient. Familiarity with, and vigilance for, these problems should facilitate earlier recognition, more expeditious intervention and more favourable outcomes. This work was supported by the Craig and Elaine Dobbin Pulmonary Research Fund of the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, PA, USA.