Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common disease for which
single lung transplantation (SLT) is performed and is a frequent reason for bilateral
lung transplantation (BLT). Recent data suggest a favorable survival advantage for
patients with COPD undergoing lung transplantation compared with other diagnoses.
This has led some investigators to question whether transplantation leads to improved
survival in COPD patients compared with alternative treatment and whether this surgical
therapy is appropriate in these individuals. These viewpoints may reflect the difficulties
inherent in accurately predicting short- and long-term survival in patients with advanced
COPD. Our review of the available data suggests that clinical, physiological, and
radiographic features allow the identification of COPD patients with increased mortality
despite maximal medical therapy. In these high risk individuals transplantation remains
a viable therapeutic option.
COPD - survival - lung transplantation