Role of autofluorescence bronchoscopy in evaluation of bronchial mucosa after lung transplantation

Airway complications are a significant and persistent source of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation; the incidence of these complications is around 15% with a mortality rate of 2- 3%. Airway complications arise, typically, the first two years post-transplant, and of these almost half are identified prior to discharge; their pathogenesis, as well as to opportunistic infections, appear to be related to the difficult revascularization of the bronchi resulting in chronic ischemia.