Lung transplantation is an effective treatment option for selected patients suffering from end-stage lung disease. More intensive immunosuppression is enforced after lung transplants owing to a greater risk of rejection than after any other solid organ transplants. The commencing of lung transplantation in the modern era was in 1983 when the Toronto Lung Transplant Group executed the first successful lung transplant. A total of 43,785 lung transplants and 1365 heart-lung transplants have been performed from 1 Jan 1988 until 31 Jan 2021. The aim of this review article is to discuss the existing immunosuppressive strategies and emerging agents to prevent acute and chronic rejection in lung transplantation.
Keywords: Immunosuppressants; Induction immunosuppression; Lung transplantation; Maintenance immunosuppression.
© Indian Association of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgeons 2022.