Lung Transplant Consideration: Anesthesiologist Perspective

Abstract

Lung transplant has seen a significant progress since 1963 till this era. Worldwide lung transplant indications have broadened with time. Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency used to be the most common reason for transplant but now conditions like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Cystic fibrosis, Non Cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis have become leading indications towards lung transplant. Relaxation of donor selection criteria management protocol preserving and optimizing lung function with development ex vivo perfusion techniques to recondition suboptimal lung has improved lung transplantation success. Post-transplant survival still poses challenge as median survival stands low around five years.