Lung transplantation in autoimmune diseases.
In the last 45 years, lung transplantation has evolved from its status as a rare extreme form of surgical therapy for the treatment of advanced lung diseases to an accepted therapeutic option for select patients. Although pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary vascular diseases are important indications for lung transplantation, only a small percentage of transplants are performed in patients with collagen vascular diseases. The reasons for this low number are multifactorial. This article reviews issues relevant to all lung transplant candidates and recipients as well as those specific to patients with autoimmune diseases.
Lee
James C
JC
Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Ahya
Vivek N
VN
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018579:Patient Selection; D016896:Treatment Outcome