Recipient Management before Lung Transplantation.

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Transplant Surgery
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Lung transplantation is a vital treatment for end-stage lung disease, with increasing global and South Korean patient numbers.
• Lung transplant candidates are increasingly older and sicker, with longer waiting times, highlighting the need for optimized pre-transplant care.
• Effective pre-transplantation management and candidate selection are critical for successful lung transplant outcomes and patient survival.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize pre-transplantation management strategies for adult lung transplant candidates.
• To emphasize key areas for pre-transplant care, including referral timing, nutrition, and comorbid condition management.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of strategies essential for improving lung transplant success rates.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of current pre-transplantation management strategies.
• Identification and summarization of critical pre-transplant care components.
• Focus on evidence-based practices for candidate selection and management.

Main Results:

• Pre-transplantation management requires attention to referral timing, nutritional status, and pulmonary rehabilitation.
• Critical care aspects, including mechanical ventilation and ECMO, are vital considerations.
• Management of pre-existing comorbid conditions (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, infections) is paramount.

Conclusions:

• Comprehensive pre-transplantation management is essential for optimizing lung transplant outcomes.
• Careful candidate selection and addressing all facets of pre-transplant health are key to patient survival.
• Multidisciplinary management focusing on nutrition, rehabilitation, critical care, and comorbidities improves lung transplant success.