Lung transplantation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Abstract:Patients with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) comprise the largest single lung disease group undergoing transplantation. Selection of appropriate candidates requires consideration of specific clinical characteristics, prognosis in the absence of transplantation, and likely outcome of transplantation. Increased availability of alternatives to transplantation for end-stage patients and the many efforts to increase the supply of donor organs have complicated decision making for selecting transplant candidates. Many years of technical and clinical refinements in lung transplantation methods have improved survival and quality of life outcomes. Further advances will probably come from improved selection methods for the procedure. Because no prospective trial has been performed, and because of confounding and informative censoring bias inherent in the transplant selection process in studies of the existing experience, the survival effect of lung transplant in COPD patients remains undefined. There is a lack of conclusive data on the impact of lung transplantation on quality of life. For some patients with end-stage COPD, lung transplantation remains the only option for further treatment with a hope of improved survival and quality of life. A prospective trial of lung transplantation is needed to provide better guidance concerning survival benefit, resource utilization, and quality of life effects for patients with COPD.

Transplant in the 21st century

“…31 In 2013, the most common cause for needing a lung transplant was cystic fi brosis in children and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. 32,33 Lung transplants can be from deceased or living donors. Adults over age 65 years accounted for the largest growth in adult candidates for transplant in 2011.…”

Differential Regulation of Gene Expression of Alveolar Epithelial Cell Markers in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma-Derived A549 Clones

“…Lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis can be life threatening. Until now, lung transplantation has been the treatment of choice for the severe cases [ 1 ]. However, lung transplantation is associated with several problems, including issues with histocompatibility and a shortage of donors.…”