[Therapy of patients with end-stage pulmonary disease. Review of lung transplantation based on four cases of our own]. / Végstádiumú tüdóbetegségben szenvedó betegek kezelése. Attekintés a tüdótranszplantációról négy eset kapcsán.

The pathogenesis of infiltrative pulmonary diseases is largely unknown, and their final outcome is variable. These inflammatory processes may involve the alveoli and the pulmonary interstices, and they may lead to pulmonary fibrosis. The development of end-stage pulmonary disease is irreversible. Patients with respiratory failure have a poor prognosis. For young patients at the end-stage of their pulmonary disease, lung transplantation is a promising therapeutic modality. The therapeutic protocols for unilateral or bilateral lung transplantation and heart-lung transplantation were established only in the last 10 years. In Hungary there is no center yet performing lung transplantation. This therapy is available only for those who could be effectively rehabilitated with this method. Four patients 27-35 years of age suffering pulmonary fibrosis, despite their young age developed honey-comb lungs with therapy resistant respiratory failure. No other organic symptoms were detected by detailed examination, so their predicted survival was dependent on their pulmonary status alone. Cases of four young patients, who were effectively treated with lung transplantation, are discussed from pre-operative preparations to post-operative follow-up, with the review of the literature.