[Uni- and bilateral lung transplantation: patient evaluation and selection. Vienna Lung Transplant Group]

Lung transplantation has been available as a therapeutic option for patients with end-stage lung disease for only a short period of time. Since this procedure is now being successfully performed with increasing frequency in various transplantation centers, we must now begin to consider transplantation as a therapeutic options in patients with lung diseases unresponsive to medical therapy. Physicians are required to know principles involved for determination of suitable candidates and operative procedures of choice. We report here our experiences of preoperative assessment of patients undergoing lung transplantation. Patient selection, indications, contraindications, choice of operation, appropriate timing for transplantation and preoperative rehabilitation methods are discussed. It is concluded that appropriate recipient selection remains an important determinant for the success of this treatment modality.