• Timothy J George, George J Arnaoutakis, and Ashish S Shah.
• Division of Cardiac Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
• Arch Surg. 2011 Oct 1; 146 (10): 1204-9.

ObjectiveTo review the present status of lung transplant (LTx) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).Data SourcesCurrent English-language literature review using MEDLINE.Study SelectionProspective and retrospective trials, series, reviews, databases, and editorials regarding the clinical and basic science aspects of LTx in patients with IPF.Data ExtractionWe analyzed results from trials and series.Data SynthesisIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is an incurable disease with a dismal prognosis. The only treatment of proven benefit is LTx. Since the introduction of the Lung Allocation Score, IPF has become the most common indication for LTx in the United States. These patients have a limited life expectancy and benefit from early referral for transplant. Although controversial, the most recent data suggest that bilateral LTx is superior to single LTx in the population of patients with IPF. For this population, LTx increases the length and quality of their lives.ConclusionAlthough patients with IPF have a dismal prognosis, LTx is a safe and effective treatment to improve their survival and functional status.

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