[Identification of the most appropriate time for lung transplantation in the patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis].
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.
Shiraishi
Y
Y
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Tokyo National Chest Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Sagara
Y
Y
Komatsu
H
H
Fukushima
K
K
Kurashima
A
A
Mouri
M
M
Katayama
T
T
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013995:Time
D010100:Oxygen