Lung transplantation for emphysema.
Emphysema is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite optimal medical therapy, smoking cessation, and pulmonary rehabilitation, a large number of patients remain symptomatic with a poor quality of life. A pool of patients with end-stage disease can benefit from surgical treatments like bullectomy, lung volume reduction, or lung transplantation. Emphysema represents the most common indication leading to lung transplantation. A functional improvement and better quality of life are clear benefits deriving from lung transplantation, while a survival advantage has not yet been proven.
Marulli
G
G
Department of Cardiologic, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Division of Thoracic Surgery, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Rea
F
F
D004646:Emphysema / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology