Single-lung transplantation in a chronic pulmonary emphysema patient with a marginal donor who was ABO blood group nonidentical but compatible.

Because the number of ideal brain-dead donors is limited, active use of marginal donors is currently one of the major issues discussed in regard to lung transplantation. We report a case in which the patient underwent single-lung transplantation for chronic pulmonary emphysema. The lung came from a marginal, ABO blood group nonidentical, compatible donor. Because the donor was marginal (pneumonia in the right lung and lobar atelectasis in both lungs), all recipient candidates with ABO blood group identical declined. Thus, a nonidentical, compatible recipient had a chance to receive a lung transplant. This 49-year-old man underwent single-lung transplantation for chronic pulmonary emphysema with severe respiratory failure. He had a good postoperative clinical course.