Lung transplantation for interstitial lung diseases

An overview over the role of lung transplantation in interstitial lung diseases will be given.

Lung transplantation is an established therapy option for patients with various end-stage lung diseases. Currently, the worldwide procedural frequency is about 3600 per year. Unfortunately, the shortage of donor organs leads to approximately every sixth patient in western countries dying before a donor organ is available. The most frequent underlying clinical indications are emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, and cystic fibrosis. In a recent registry report worldwide, 23% of all lung transplant recipients had a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In experienced centers, candidates for transplantation are chosen according to disease-specific factors after excluding contra-indications. However, there are several challenges for lung transplantation. The number of lung transplantations performed is limited by the supply of donor organs, and the long-term survival rates are still inferior compared with other forms of solid organ transplantation.

Lung transplantation offers a survival benefit in carefully selected patients with interstitial lung diseases.