What are the risks of a Lung Transplant?

Early Risks:

• Bleeding: This can occur during or shortly after surgery due to the complexity of connecting blood vessels and airways. 

• Infection: The surgery and immunosuppressive medications increase the risk of infections, which must be closely monitored.

• Nerve Damage: Damage to surrounding nerves during the procedure can lead to complications such as vocal cord paralysis or diaphragmatic weakness.

• Spikes in Blood Sugar: Postoperative stress and steroid medications often cause temporary or long-term elevations in blood sugar levels, requiring careful management.

Long-Term Risks:

• Rejection of the Lung: The immune system may recognize the transplanted lung as foreign and attack it, necessitating immunosuppressive therapy.

• Airway Narrowing: Over time, scarring or inflammation can cause narrowing (stenosis) of the airways connected to the transplanted lung, leading to breathing difficulties.

•  Stroke: Long-term complications from surgery, immunosuppressants, or underlying vascular issues can increase the risk of stroke.