Iskander Al-Githmi
Background: Lung transplant is a treatment option for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to review the results of lung transplant in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: Between November 2008 and October 2010, there were 11 patients who had lung transplant at our institution; 6 patients (55%) had single lung transplant for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Clinical data were reviewed retrospectively. Follow-up was 4 years. Results: The 6 patients who received single lung transplant for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis had no perioperative mortality; 1 patient died within 30 days of surgery because of multiple organ failure that resulted from sepsis, and 1 patient died at 14 months after surgery because of respiratory failure and bronchiolitis obliterans. The overall survival was 83% at 1 year, 67% at 2 years, and 67% at 4 years after transplant. Conclusions: Lung transplant is effective in reducing the risk of death and prolonging survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.