Biting off more than you can chew: novel markers of aspiration in lung transplantation

As we venture towards ever-improving techniques and approaches to lung transplantation, the field remains burdened by acute and chronic rejection rates that are still unacceptably high. To identify these processes early and curb their development, we need to investigate the events that trigger their onset and markers that distinguish those at risk. From previous studies, we have learned that gastroesophageal reflux disease may contribute to a form of inflammation that aggravates chronic rejection, with animal models of gastric aspiration demonstrating the onset of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD)1,2.