Acute diverticulitis in heart- and lung transplant patients

Significant gastrointestinal complications have been observed in patients f ollowing heart- and lung transplantation. These complications can occur in the immediate post-operative period or remote from the time of transplantat ion. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 268 consecutive pat ients who received either heart- or lung transplants at Henry Ford Hospital between 1985 and 1998. Two hundred and thirty-three patients received hear t transplants and 35 underwent lung transplantation. Two patients developed acute diverticulitis post transplant, both requiring surgery. Management o f acute diverticulitis in the heart- and lung transplant population require s a high index of suspicion. Early and aggressive diagnosis is mandatory. S urgical intervention must be prompt when indicated, with meticulous attenti on to surgical technique. With appropriate intervention, reasonable outcome s can be expected.