Expanding the pool: the use of hepatitis C RNA positive organs in lung transplantation

Lung transplantation still remains the definitive treatment for patients with end-stage pulmonary disease. It provides health care providers the ability to not only prolong survival but improve quality of life for these patients. The success of this surgery is dependent on a number of variables such as the conduct of surgery. However, what is equally if not more important is the postoperative care that we tell patients will be continued for the rest of their lives. This care requires the use of immunosuppression to prevent immune graft injury as well as careful monitoring for opportunistic and chronic infections that may arise.