Identification of the most appropriate time for lung transplantation in the patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis
Shiraishi, Y.; Sagara, Y.; Komatsu, H.; Fukushima, K.; Kurashima, A.; Mouri, M.; Katayama, T.
Kyobu Geka. Japanese Journal of Thoracic Surgery 47(7): 533-535
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-5252 PMID: 8057537 Document Number: 438506
In order to identify the most appropriate time for lung transplantation, we examined the natural courses of eight patients who died of idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis (IIP). Five of eight patients died within two years after they were diagnosed as IIP and six died within one year after the last admission. As the disease progressed, arterial oxygen pressure tended to decrease and serum LDH level to increase. But no parameter was able to predict the natural courses of patients. We conclude that it is very difficult to identify the most appropriate time for lung transplantation and the prognosis of IIP patient is very poor. Therefore as soon as patients are diagnosed as IIP, it is mandatory to assess their eligibility for lung transplantation.