This study aims to improve the early detection and management of acute cellular rejection (ACR) in lung transplant patients. Lung transplants are crucial for people with severe lung diseases, but a significant challenge is the rejection of the transplanted lung, which can lead to long-term organ failure and even death. Current methods for detecting this rejection are not always effective. The study investigates the use of Hyperpolarized Gas Magnetic Resonance Imaging (HGMRI) as a new way to identify early signs of rejection that other tests might miss. This research could lead to better outcomes for patients by identifying problems early and allowing for timely intervention. Participants in this study will undergo HGMRI scans, which are non-invasive imaging tests used to look at how well the lungs are functioning. These scans will be combined with traditional CT scans during routine check-ups to spot any early signs of lung rejection. By examining the single cells in the lungs, researchers hope to find specific patterns that indicate a problematic immune response, which is common in cases of ACR. The study will track changes in the lung over a year to see how well these imaging techniques work compared to traditional methods. This approach may improve the accuracy of diagnosing lung rejection and help tailor treatments to each patient's needs.
Inclusion Criteria: * All subjects must be willing to participate and undergo the procedure, and be managed as outpatients * HXe MRI-specific Inclusion * All patients who successfully underwent a lung transplant at the University of Virginia * Followed by the medical lung transplant team for the post-lung transplant rejection surveillance program at the University of Virginia * a clinical diagnosis of lung transplant within the past 12 months * absence of any significant allograft dysfunction/rejection at the time of the 12-month surveillance bronchoscopy * the ability to understand a written informed consent form and comply with the requirements of the study. * have an acceptable pre-bronchoscopy pulmonary function test: FEV1\>45% before use of any bronchodilator * Must have acceptable pre-procedural screening studies. * Complete Blood Count: normal WBC, Hgb, and PLT * PT: Normal \< 1.2 * Basic Metabolic Panel: Normal 1. Scenario 1 (two visits): Standard bronchoscopy with Normal MRI results and without a diagnosis of acute rejection after bronchoscopy. 2. Scenario 2 (two visits): Navigational bronchoscopy with abnormal MRI result but without a diagnosis of acute rejection after bronchoscopy by clinical pathology. 3. Scenario 3 (three or four visits): Navigational bronchoscopy with abnormal MRI result and a diagnosis of acute rejection after bronchoscopy by clinical pathology at the first visit, the second visit, or both visits. 4. Scenario 4 (one visit): Subjects who previously signed Part 2 Substudy corresponding to the First HXe MRI visit of the Part 3 Substudy (6 or 12 month evaluation). They will be asked to join the Part 3 Substudy to undergo a 24-month follow-up evaluation, including MRI and bronchoscopy, as described for Scenarios 1, 2, or 3. Exclusion Criteria: <!-- --> 1. Unable to Consent 2. Continuous oxygen use at home. 3. Blood oxygen saturation of less than 92% as measured by pulse oximetry on the day of imaging. 4. FEV1 percent predicted less than 25%. 5. Pregnancy or lactation. 6. Claustrophobia, inner ear implants, aneurysms or other surgical clips, metal foreign bodies in the eye, pacemakers, or other contraindications to MR scanning. Subjects with any implanted device that cannot be verified as MRI compliant will be excluded. 7. Chest circumference greater than that of the xenon MR and/or helium coil. The circumference of the coil is approximately 42 inches. 8. History of congenital cardiac disease, chronic renal failure, or cirrhosis. 9. Inability to understand simple instructions or to hold still for approximately 10 seconds. 10. History of respiratory infection within 2 weeks prior to the MR scan 11. History of MI, stroke, and/or poorly controlled hypertension. 12. Failure to complete study-related procedures 13. Unavailability of a reliable communication network and contacts for follow-up with the second in-house backup contact 14. Patient actively smokes. 15. Before 48 hours, any event being considered to be too risky to preclude surveillance bronchoscopy: SaO2 \<90%, \>16 puffs/24 hours of short-acting β-agonist (SABA), worsening symptoms prompting the use of any inhalers, FEV1 \< 45% before using a bronchodilator. 16. acute or chronic renal failure 17. uncontrolled coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure; uncontrolled diabetes mellitus; uncontrolled hypertension, liver disease; history of neurologic diseases, including stroke, any disease concerning fibrotic processes. 18. Pregnant females will be excluded 19. Claustrophobic or too large to fit into the available MR chest RF coils. -
is designated in this study