Results of Single-Lung Transplantation for Bilateral Pulmonary Fibrosis

Abstract

Between November 1983 and August 1989, we performed single-lung transplantation for end-stage pulmonary fibrosis in 20 patients. Nine patients (45 percent) who survived for more than one year form the basis of this report. Before surgery, the nine survivors had severe restrictive lung disease, with a mean (±SD) vital capacity (VC) of 43±9 percent, a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) of 50±9 percent, and a single-breath diffusing capacity (DLCO) of 36±9 percent of predicted values. One year after transplantation, the patients' VC had reached 69±10 percent, FEV₁ 79±15 percent, and DLCO 62±16 percent of predicted values. Relative perfusion to the transplanted lung rose from 63±14 percent (three days after surgery) to 77±7 percent within three months and stayed constant or increased slightly thereafter. Before surgery, despite supplemental oxygen at flow rates varying from 1 to 9 liters per minute, none of the patients could exercise beyond stage 1/2 (2.7 km [1.7 miles] per hour, 5 percent grade) on a modified Bruce treadmill-exercise protocol. All eight patients tested one year or more after transplantation achieved at least stage 1 (2.7 km [1.7 miles] per hour, 10 percent grade), and usually a higher stage, without supplemental oxygen. Arterial oxygen tension returned to normal values in most patients (87±13 mm Hg), and supplemental oxygen, which all patients required before surgery, was no longer needed by any patient after transplantation. We conclude that in carefully selected patients with end-stage pulmonary fibrosis, single-lung transplantation is an effective treatment. (N Engl J Med 1990; 322: 727–33.)