Bilateral lung transplantation for severe persistent and difficult asthma.
Although asthma is listed as an indication for lung transplantation, only 2 cases have been reported to date. Here, we describe a 42-year-old woman with progressive, severe, persistent bronchial asthma resistant to high-dose oral steroids and adjuvant immunosuppressive therapy. Because conventional and experimental therapeutic strategies failed, the patient was listed for bilateral lung transplantation and received a transplant shortly thereafter. At 12 months after transplantation, her lung function parameters are normal and an asthma attack has not occurred since.
Wirtz
Hubert R
HR
Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. wirtzh@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Kroegel
Claus
C
Caffier
Paul
P
Bittner
Hartmut
H
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents