Global approaches to chronic lung allograft dysfunction: Toward evidence-based harmonization
Evidence level: review; abstract-only
A 2026 review describes converging CLAD diagnostic practice but persistent international variation in therapy, and names comparative evidence gaps as research priorities.
As of . Primary source: Publisher record via DOI.
Summary
This single-author review states that international surveys show practice harmonisation alongside persistent geographic variation. Diagnostic work-up has converged (spirometry, chest CT, bronchoscopy with lavage and biopsy, donor-specific antibody testing) but more standardisation is needed for pulmonary function reporting, imaging protocols and pathology workflows. Therapy is more heterogeneous, with major differences in azithromycin prophylaxis, reflux management, corticosteroid pulses, lymphocyte-depleting agents, extracorporeal photopheresis, montelukast and bronchodilators. The author argues that such variation identifies priorities where comparative evidence is lacking, and calls for standardised treatment algorithms, biomarker-guided interventions and pragmatic trials.
Details
- doi
- 10.1016/j.healun.2026.07.029
- pmid
- 42521131
- authors
- Vos R
- journal
- The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
- year
- 2026
Sources and links
- Publisher record via DOI (primary)
- PubMed 42521131
Related
Links from this record
- discusses: Azithromycin
- discusses: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP)
- discusses: HLA donor-specific antibody and non-HLA antibody testing
- discusses: Chest CT: parenchymal patterns and density in CLAD
- authors affiliated with: KU Leuven BREATHE (Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery)
- coauthor: Robin Vos
Linked from (derived)
- author: Robin Vos
- evidence: CLAD care and measurement vary between centres
Known gaps in this record
- full text not read (abstract only)
- funding statement and grant numbers
- full text and cited surveys (not read)
- funding and conflicts of interest
Information resource only. Not medical advice. Not a substitute for the care of the patient's transplant team.