Volume of graft and native lung after single-lung transplantation for emphysema

To assess how the presence of the hyperinflated native lung influences the volume of the graft after single-lung transplantation (SLT) for emphysema, we used chest computed tomography to measure the TLC of each lung at a mean of 326 d before and 239, 588, and 932 d after SLT in nine patients. In add ition, we obtained measurements of TLC and FRC in these nine patients plus one additional recipient at 697 d after surgery, and in 10 nonsmoking norma l subjects matched for age, sex, height, and weight. On the nontransplanted side, TLC averaged 3.57 L before and 3.73 L, 3.70 L, and 3.73 L after SLT (NS). Corresponding values on the transplanted side were 3.42 L before and 2.06 L, 1.96 L., and 1.90 L after surgery, respectively (p < 0.0002). Compa red with the values obtained on the ipsilateral side in the control subject s, the FRC of the graft amounted to 100%, but its TLC was decreased to 79% (p < 0.005). We conclude that (1) the TLC of the graft and of the native lu ng do not change over time after SLT for emphysema, and (2) compared with t he ipsilateral lung in normal control subjects, the TLC of the graft is sub stantially reduced, but its FRC is within normal limits.