Effectiveness of Lung Transplantation in Patients With Interstitial Lung Diseases

• Published in: Transplantation proceedings Vol. 52; no. 7; pp. 2143 - 2148
• Main Authors: Stącel, Tomasz, Nęcki, Mirosław, Antończyk, Remigiusz, Latos, Magdalena, Urlik, Maciej, Kościołek, Joanna, Kordylewska-Kubus, Angelika, Litewka, Joanna, Przybyłowski, Piotr, Zawadzki, Fryderyk, Wajda-Pokrontka, Marta, Pyrć, Krzysztof, Zembala, Marian, Ochman, Marek
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.09.2020
• Subjects: Adult; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases, Interstitial - surgery; Lung Transplantation; Male; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0041-1345; 1873-2623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2020.03.050

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a heterogeneous group of more than 200 diseases manifested by progressive exercise dyspnea, radiological lung changes, and ventilation restrictive disorders. ILDs are the second most common indication for lung transplantation (LTx). Our study group consisted of 139 patients who qualified for LTx at the Silesian Center for Heart Diseases between 2004 and 2018. Of the 139, 92 patients died while on the waiting list, and 47 patients underwent LTx. Medical records including laboratory test results, spirometry, and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were analyzed to determine eligibility for LTx. We also assessed quality of life post-LTx. Patients who qualified for LTx showed decreased values of parameters measured by spirometry (43.69 ± 19.05% of forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV1] and 43.07 ± 20.55% of forced vital capacity [FVC] and severe desaturation during the 6MWT (SpO2 = 88.78% before 6-minute walk test and 73.23% after the test). After LTx, longer distances were achieved in the 6MWT (235.47 ± 159.57 m during qualification vs 533.2 ± 34.15 m 12 months after LTx) and increased values of spirometry. On average, patients had stopped working 6 years prior to LTx. There is no effective medical treatment for patients with end-stage ILDs. Therefore, lung transplantation is a lifesaving procedure for patients that also extends patients’ lives and improves their quality of life. •Studies assessing quality of life should be an integral part of control during postoperative visits after lung transplantation.•Quality of life tests enable the assessment of a full or incomplete return of a patient to a satisfying life after lung transplantation.•Lung transplantation (LTx) is the only effective method of treatment for patients with end-stage lung diseases with a purpose of improving their health and quality of life.