Thanks to the reader who sent the link to this report from UPI.com: H1N1 advisory for heart/lung transplants. Excerpt:
There are additional challenges for cardiopulmonary transplant recipients and donors if they catch H1N1 flu, U.S. researchers say.
Physicians representing the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation Infectious Disease Council issued an advisory for all programs in cardiothoracic transplantation that aggressive diagnosis and early treatment need be paired with active preventative measures to stem the impact of infection in the transplant population.
Since transplant recipients are treated with anti-rejection drugs, the advisory provides clear directions for specific dosing of anti-viral drugs and management of the background immunosuppression.
Specific guidelines for evaluation and management of post-surgical transplant patients are also given, as well as recommendations for how and when to administer vaccines.
