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Lung Transplantation in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis
Rupal J Shah1, Francesco Boin2
1Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Current Rheumatology Reports
|April 8, 2017
Summary
Systemic sclerosis patients can achieve successful lung transplants, with outcomes comparable to other conditions. This review highlights new evidence suggesting scleroderma should not prevent lung transplant referral.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Rheumatology
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) presents complex multisystem challenges for lung transplantation.
- Extra-pulmonary manifestations historically raised concerns about post-transplant outcomes in these patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current findings on evaluating patients with systemic sclerosis for lung transplantation.
- To analyze post-transplant outcomes in this specific patient population.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature and clinical reports.
- Analysis of outcomes data for lung transplant recipients with systemic sclerosis.
Main Results:
- Scleroderma patients demonstrate lung transplant outcomes similar to those with non-rheumatologic pulmonary diseases.
- Esophageal dysmotility, a common scleroderma complication, does not necessarily preclude successful transplantation.
- Current evidence supports considering scleroderma patients for lung transplant referral.
Conclusions:
- Systemic sclerosis should not be an automatic contraindication for lung transplant evaluation.
- Further research is needed for improved risk stratification and management protocols.
- Optimizing pre- and post-transplant immunosuppression is crucial for successful outcomes.