Post-Operative Lung Transplant Considerations in the Older Recipient.

TOPIC IMPORTANCE Lung transplantation (LTx) remains the ultimate treatment for many patients with advanced lung disease. While the age cutoffs for LTx have been debated due to variable outcomes, the number of LTx procedures performed on patients aged 65 and older has significantly increased in recent decades, reflecting the realities of an aging demographic. This trend underscores the unique management challenges faced by this cohort and highlights the importance of addressing evidence gaps in their perioperative and postoperative care. REVIEW FINDINGS Our literature review highlights that, despite the challenges, recent data indicate favorable outcomes for patients aged 65 and older undergoing LTx. Although the primary focus of this article is on post-operative care, it also addresses some peri-operative considerations including the use of extra-corporeal life support, as well as the choice of the procedure type and donor considerations. This review incorporates current knowledge about early and late postoperative complications, including neurological, cardiovascular, renal, among others, along with their management strategies and current practice patterns. . SUMMARY In conclusion, this review emphasizes the need to optimize care for older LTx recipients. The evidence regarding ideal management practices for this population is limited. We highlight the necessity for comprehensive postoperative management guidelines and identify key areas for further research to establish evidence-based protocols for this growing demographic.