[Selection of patients with UIP for lung transplantation]

To select patients with UIP for lung transplantation, critical parameters that may indicate the prognosis after lung transplantation need to be found. We studied the course of disease of 53 cases of IPF which were diagnosed as UIP by open lung biopsy. We divided these cases into two groups: a decreased group in which the patients died due to the progression of the disease within two years after open lung biopsy, and a surviving group in which patients were still alive two years after biopsy. The comparative study revealed that there was no difference in symptomatic cases in the following parameters, the degree of the involved area on chest radiographs, a lower % VC and elevated LDH levels all related to the prognosis 2 years after open lung biopsy. However, there was no difference of the number of cases that satisfied all factors between the both groups. In conclusion, it is difficult to select recipients with IPF at an adequate stage for lung transplantation. Careful and intensive examination is required for selection of the recipients.