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Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction

  • Lung Transplant (R Bag, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Synthesize recent developments in the understanding of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) epidemiology, pathophysiology, outcomes, and treatments with a focus on the classification of CLAD into restrictive allograft syndrome (RAS) and from bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS).

Recent Findings

Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) remains the leading cause of long-term morbidity and mortality in lung transplant recipients. Despite the lack of progress on improving outcomes, significant progress has been made in better characterizing the disease’s clinical and pathologic diversity. Most significantly, the clinical diagnosis of restrictive allograft syndrome (RAS) has been recognized as pathophysiologically distinct from bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). Azithromycin remains the only treatment proven effective for CLAD, and its use has a modest impact on survival.

Summary

Important steps towards better classification and understanding of the CLAD disease processes have been made; however, more research is needed to develop effective therapies for this devastating condition.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major Importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Avenue, MC 6076, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    William F. Parker & Remzi Bag

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  1. William F. Parker
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Correspondence to William F. Parker.

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William Parker and Remzi Bag declare no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Lung Transplant

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Parker, W.F., Bag, R. Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction. Curr Pulmonol Rep 7, 169–175 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13665-018-0208-1

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