ABSTRACT
Lung transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage lung disease in individuals who have failed maximal therapy. In carefully selected patients it offers both prognostic benefit and an improvement in quality of life. However, it is not a risk-free enterprise and has significant associated short- and long-term morbidity and mortality; for these reasons it is reserved for patients who have exploited all other tolerable treatment options. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis (CF) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) account for 95% of lung transplants performed. In this chapter we focus in on the challenges and opportunities for patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD).
