Outcomes for Bilateral versus Single Lung Transplant in Treatment of End Stage Lung Disease

Authors

Sheri Talbott, Univeristy of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Pulmonary Medicine

Advisor

Dr. Nancy Reid

Abstract

This article will seek to explore the survival outcomes for bilateral lung transplant (BLT) and single lung transplant (SLT), in order to determine if precious donor lung resources could be allocated in a different manner, fairly and safely. Lung transplant (LTx) is the definitive treatment or therapy for end-stage lung disease for several disease states including interstitial lung disease (ILD), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Cystic Fibrosis (CF), and pulmonary Hypertension. As post-care and immune suppression have improved, treatment with lung transplant has expanded. With this expansion, the waitlist for donors has also grown and continues to outweigh the supply.If the culture and practice shifted to considering single lung transplant first in scenarios where it is safe and beneficial, there would be greater resources for a greater number of appropriate candidates and, perhaps, improved post-transplant survival.Additionally, given the lack of quality research on the comparative outcomes between single lung transplant and bilateral lung transplant with respect to short and long-term outcomes and survival, we should be more judicious with these precious resources.

Recommended Citation

Talbott S. Outcomes for Bilateral versus Single Lung Transplant in Treatment of End Stage Lung Disease. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2021; 3(1).