[Unilateral lung transplantation in terminal pulmonary emphysema]

Early attempts of single lung transplantation for end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mostly failed due to a ventilation-perfusion mismatch between the allograft and the contralateral native lung. We performed unilateral lung transplantation in a 39-year-old female with severe pulmonary emphysema and could demonstrate in a one year follow-up that the transplanted lung will be given preference for both--ventilation and perfusion in approximately the same ratio (80%/90%). With improvement of pulmonary preservation, individual adjustment of immunosuppression and detailed monitoring of the transplanted lung unilateral lung transplantation becomes a therapeutical option in patients with severe emphysema.