Epidemiology and Long-Term Outcomes in Thoracic Transplantation

Over the past five decades, outcomes for lung transplantation have significantly improved in the early post-operative period, such that lung transplant is now the gold standard treatment for end-stage respiratory disease. The major limitation that impacts lung transplant survival rates is the development of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). CLAD affects around 50% of lung transplant recipients within five years of transplantation. We must also consider other factors impacting the survival rate such as the surgical technique (single versus double lung transplant), along with donor and recipient characteristics. The future is promising, with more research looking into ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) and bioengineered lungs, with the hope of increasing the donor pool and decreasing the risk of graft rejection.