The 41-year-old man was transferred to the emergency care unit of the National Korányi Institute due to a life-threatening condition caused by COVID-19 in March. He needed breathing support from a mechanical ventilator and received ECMO treatment later, which has been supplying his body with oxygen.
“As the coronavirus infection caused irreversible damage to his lungs, he was accepted on the Eurotransplant emergency waiting list”, said dr. Ferenc Rényi-Vámos, Director of Semmelweis University’s Department of Thoracic Surgery who performed the lung transplantation at the National Institute of Oncology.
“The number of lung transplant surgeries related to the coronavirus has been lo worldwide, and this case was the first in Hungary”, added dr. Rényi-Vámos.
Following the successful operation, the patient was assigned to the National Korányi Institute for rehabilitation and later was transferred to the Department of Pulmonology to receive aftercare. This unit is the only national center providing aftercare service for adults since 2008.
“Lung transplant patients require intensive, diverse medical assistance for the rest of their lives. Lung transplant recipients have a higher risk of infections, therefore they have to make sure to schedule routine check-ups with a physician to monitor the condition of the transplanted lung and to adjust anti-rejection medication”, pointed out dr. Veronika Müller, director of the Department of Pulmonology.
She added that aftercare is a well-coordinated teamwork with the active and collaborative participation of department’s all healthcare professionals.
Results of the patient’s latest medical check-up showed that he was in good condition. Dr. Müller emphasized that his case shows why it is essential to provide opportunity for more patients suffering from pulmonary diseases to be included in the waiting list country-wide.
Pálma Dobozi
Photo: Attila Kovács – Semmelweis University
Translation: Norbert Lukács
