[Indications and contraindications to lung transplant: patient selection]

Lung transplant (LT) is a valid treatment for patients with end-stage lung disease such as cystic fibrosis, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension (85% of indications) and for selected candidates. The "good recipient" was introduced early to a specialised center, has had complete pre-LT assessment and complete information. At the end of this assessment, the absolute contraindications were eliminated (cardiovascular pathologies, recent neoplasia, active viral diseases, severe psychiatric disorders), advanced age risks were discussed, co-morbidities to treat were listed and an individualised therapeutic pre-LT program has been decided (based on exercise and muscle rehabilitation, nutritional support, anti-infectious treatments, active management of co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, gastro-esophageal reflux…) with a psychological follow-up if necessary. Timely inscription on waiting list must be decided, early enough to avoid extreme handicap or risk pre-LT death, but not too early to have a survival benefit linked to LT. Death without LT prognosis criteria are still studied, and even if they do not fully define the risk of death of an individualised patient, they are taken into account by the recommendations of the societies; since 2006, LT indications are based on severity criteria of the selected patient, defined for each recipient diagnosis. LT aims to improve survival and quality of life of the patient, and this is especially true when the patient is referred, prepared and monitored early enough by the transplant team; the aim is to limit the risk of death before LT (before listing and on waiting list) and early post-LT morbimortality.