Unilateral Lung Transplantation due to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) cases not responding to optimal medical therapy and progressing rapidly are candidates for lung transplantation. Our 34 years old case diagnosed IPF 9 years ago, presented to our clinic with symptoms of dyspnea and weakness. The chest computed tomography revealed that fibrosis progressed. Among the respiratory function tests FVC was found to be 34%, FEV1 32%. Blood gases analysis revealed a PO2 of 60 mmHg, PCO2 of 33.4 mmHg. With these findings the patient was referred to Vienna University Chest Surgery Department. As a result of investigations it was found out that only 40% of right lung and 10% of left lung spared its function. So lung transplantation was performed to the left lung. No complications were observed in postoperative period. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 28th day. Six months later after surgery respiratory function was performed and FVC was found to be 63% and FEV1 44%. As a result lung transplantation is an important therapeutical method in increasing life quality and survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients whose life expectancy is estimated as 18 months.