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Relevance of GERD in Lung Transplant Patients

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Abstract

Lung transplantation has become a valuable treatment for end-stage pulmonary disorders in an attempt to improve quality of life and extend survival. Development of chronic rejection, also known as bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), is responsible for the vast majority of deaths after lung transplantation. Up to 50% of lung transplant patients develop BOS within the first 5 years after transplantation. A high prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux and aspiration of gastric components has been described after lung transplantation. Reflux and aspiration have been implicated in the development of BOS and antireflux surgery has been proposed; however, the causal relationship with BOS and the impact of reflux in lung transplantation survival needs to be further elucidated.

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Disclosure

Dr. Sifrim has received a research grant from Sandhill Scientific, and serves as a consultant to AstraZeneca, XenoPort, and Movetis. No other potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Gastroenterological Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Veerle Mertens

  2. Lung Transplantation Unit, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Lieven Dupont

  3. Laboratory of Pneumology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Lieven Dupont

  4. Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology 26 Ashfield Street, London, E12AJ, UK

    Daniel Sifrim

  5. Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Daniel Sifrim

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  1. Veerle Mertens
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  2. Lieven Dupont
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  3. Daniel Sifrim
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Correspondence to Daniel Sifrim.

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Mertens, V., Dupont, L. & Sifrim, D. Relevance of GERD in Lung Transplant Patients. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 12, 160–166 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-010-0106-3

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