Lung transplantation in cystic fibrosis. The results of the Clínica Puerta de Hierro (Madrid) and the Hospital La Fe (Valencia)

Retrospective analysis of cystic fibrosis patients who underwent pulmonary transplantation at Clinica Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, and at Hospital La Fe, Valencia. Since the beginning of the programme and until March 1998, a total of 63 patients with cystic fibrosis were studied. Among transplanted patients, 18 were males and 16 females, with a mean age of 18.9 years. All patients underwent sequential bilateral pulmonary transplantation. After transplantation, the most common complication was bacterial pneumonia which affected all patients. Six patients had dehiscence or stenosis of the bronchial suture. Other specific complications of this condition by frequency were intestinal obstruction and diabetes mellitus. Six patients developed obliterans bronchiolitis and one of them underwent a repeat transplantation. Three out of the 34 patients died, and the likelihood of survival after one and three years was 94%. Respiratory function tests and PaO2 peaked at sixth post-transplantation month.Pulmonary transplantation is a therapeutic option to be considered for the patient with cystic fibrosis and severe involvement of his/her pulmonary disease.