Authors' objectives:

This document was produced for AHTAC as a supporting document to the 'Superspecialty service guidelines for lung transplantation services'. It assesses the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of lung transplantation and alternative treatment.

Authors' recommendations: The overall 5-year survival rate for LT is 42% according to the ISHLT Registry. Current long-term survival figures are probably better, with some reviewers suggesting that at least a 50% 5-year survival rate can now be expected. The main causes of early death after LT are infection and graft failure; while infection and rejection/obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) are the major causes for late death. Compared with other solid-organ transplantation, LT recipients tend to have more frequent and more life-threatening infections. Overall, prolongation of average survival by LT has not been unequivocally substantiated. Medical treatment can be an effective long-term palliation to successful LT as well as a possible alternative treatment in selected children and adults. Lung reduction in selected LT candidates with end-stage emphysema has the potential to provide an alternative to LT.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.msac.gov.au/

Year Published: 1998

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Australia

Organisation Name: Australian Health Technology Advisory Committee

Contact Address: Naarilla Hirsch, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Health Technology Unit, GPO Box 570, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

Copyright: Australian Health Technology Advisory Committee