Chinese expert consensus on the evaluation and postoperative management of lung transplant recipient in COVID-19 patients
- VernacularTitle:新型冠状病毒感染后间质性肺炎患者肺移植受体评估和术后管理中国专家共识
- Collective Name:Chinese Medical Doctor Association Thoracic Surgeons Branch, Shanghai Medical Association Thoracic Surgery Specialist Branch, Shanghai Medical Doctor Association Thoracic Surgeons Branch, Specialist Alliance for the Promotion and Enhancement of Clinical Competence in General Thoracic Surgery
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); COVID-related acute respiratory distress syndrome; post COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis; lung transplantation evaluation; antiviral
- From: Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(01):1-7
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic at the end of December 2019, more than 85% of the population in China has been infected. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mainly affects the respiratory system, especially the lungs. The mortality rate of patients with severe infection is high. A percentage of 6% to 10% of patients will eventually develop into COVID-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS), which requires mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Some patients who survive acute lung injury will subsequently develop post COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF). Both fully treated CARDS and severe PCPF are suitable candidates for lung transplantation. Due to the special course, evaluation strategies are different from those used in patients with common end-stage lung disease. After lung transplantation in COVID-19 patients, special treatment is required, including standardized nucleic acid testing for the novel coronavirus, adjustment strategy of immunosuppressive drugs, and rational use of antiviral drugs, which is a big challenge for the postoperative management of lung transplantation. This consensus was evidence-based written and was reached by experts after multiple rounds of discussions, providing reference for assessment and postoperative management of patients with interstitial pneumonia after COVID-19 infection.