Pulmonary venous drainage into the left atrial appendage facilitates transplantation of the left lung with difficult exposure

Ann Thorac Surg. 2001 Mar;71(3):1046-7. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(00)02452-8.

Abstract

Heterotopic implantation of the pulmonary venous confluence into the left atrial appendage during left lung transplantation is a reasonable alternative technique to reestablish venous drainage when exposure of the native left pulmonary veno-atrial connection may be problematic. We used this approach in a 39-year-old woman with chronic bronchiectasis who underwent bilateral sequential lung transplantation through a clam-shell approach. Dense hilar scarring and a small left atrial size made exposure of the native left pulmonary veno-atrial connection difficult.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bronchiectasis / surgery*
  • Drainage / methods*
  • Female
  • Heart Atria
  • Humans
  • Lung Transplantation / methods*
  • Pulmonary Veins*