Abstract
In order to develop a bedside method of evaluating the revacularization and hemodynamic condition following lung transplantation, the authors developed a method of fluorsecein-assisted broncho-fiberscopic imaging (FABI). The method was applied experimentally in dogs that had undergone lung transplantaion and results obtained by FABI were compared with the postmortem angiography findings at different time periods after the procedure. In a cyclosporine A group, partial bronchial arterial revascularization was observed submucosally at the anastomotic site from the 3rd. postoperative day on. From the 14th. day on, marked fluorescein "staining" was recognized extending around the entire periphery of the anastomotic site, and postmortem bronchial arteriography at this point revealed the revascularization to extend through all layers. On the other hand, submucosal staining of the subsegmental bronchi of the transplanted lung was demonstrated by immediately postoperative FABI findings. And this fluorescein staining progressively disseminated to the larger bronchi. This finding corroborates the presence of pulmonary vein-to-bronchial venous plexus blood flow.
