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Abstract
Lung transplantation has evolved over the past two decades as a well-recognized therapy for patients with end-stage lung diseases. However, lung transplantation has been limited, in part, due to the scarcity of donor lung organs. Previously, donor lung organs were allocated based on a potential recipient’s waiting list time. However, in 2005, under the mandate of the US Government, through the Department of Health and Human Services, the lung-allocation system was changed to incorporate medical urgency and utility in order to optimize patient outcomes. Clinical factors that predicted pretransplant and 1-year post-transplant survival for each potential recipient were incorporated into a Lung Allocation Score. Early 1-year results have shown a decrease in the number of candidates on the waiting list, a decrease in the waiting time and a decrease in waiting list mortality. Outcomes after lung transplantation have been conflicting, with some centers suggesting worse outcomes and others suggesting an increased morbidity but not increased 1-year mortality. Longer follow-up of these patients will be useful to determine the utility of the Lung Allocation Score system in lung transplantation.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
Notes
From The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.
From Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients.