Abstract
Lung transplantation has evolved over the past two decades as a well-recognized therapy for patients with end-stage lung diseases. However, lung transplantation has been limited, in part, due to the scarcity of donor lung organs. Previously, donor lung organs were allocated based on a potential recipient's waiting list time. However, in 2005, under the mandate of the US Government, through the Department of Health and Human Services, the lung-allocation system was changed to incorporate medical urgency and utility in order to optimize patient outcomes. Clinical factors that predicted pretransplant and 1-year post-transplant survival for each potential recipient were incorporated into a Lung Allocation Score. Early 1-year results have shown a decrease in the number of candidates on the waiting list, a decrease in the waiting time and a decrease in waiting list mortality. Outcomes after lung transplantation have been conflicting, with some centers suggesting worse outcomes and others suggesting an increased morbidity but not increased 1-year mortality. Longer follow-up of these patients will be useful to determine the utility of the Lung Allocation Score system in lung transplantation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 473-478 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine |
Volume | 2 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 2008 |
Keywords
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- Lung transplantation
- Lung-allocation system
- Organ donation
- Primary pulmonary hypertension
- Transplant waiting list
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health