Lung transplantation for COPD - evidence-based?
Lung transplantation has now been performed for more than 30 years in patients with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This disease is the major indication for lung transplantation, involving more than one third of the procedures worldwide. Although lung transplantation in COPD patients has clearly shown a positive impact on lung function, exercise capacity and quality of life, the survival benefit remains difficult to ascertain. Several methodological difficulties, particularly the absence of classical randomised studies, make the analysis especially challenging. There is however indirect but convincing evidence that lung transplantation can, when appropriate selection criteria are applied, provide not only an active post-transplant lifestyle but also a survival benefit for patients with COPD.
Lahzami
Samir
S
Service de pneumilogie, CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Aubert
John-David
JD
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*