Cystic Fibrosis and Lung Transplantation

Cystic fibrosis is a very common inherited diseased causing progressive disability and early death. It is so common that one in twenty-two people with roots in Europe are carriers for the Cystic Fibrosis gene.

As patients with Cystic Fibrosis are well aware, there is no cure so most patients die very young, usually from lung failure.   This is due to the nature of Cystic fibrosis progression.   In many cases, unilateral or bilateral lung transplants are usually necessary.   However, with advancing transplantation techniques and other new treatments, cystic fibrosis patients are living longer.

In terms of treatment, lung transplantation is the most effective method to improve quality of life and extend survival times of patients with end-stage Cystic Fibrosis.   In a six year review of 55 bilateral lung transplants examined the survival rates and post-operative complications of this group of Cystic Fibrosis patients.

Cystic Fibrosis and Lung Transplantation

First, based on the study data, bilateral lung transplantation survival rates are anticipated to be 80% at 1 month post-op, 79% at 1 year post-op, 74% at 2 years, 70% at 3 years, and 58% at 4, 5,and 6 years.

The anticipated survival rates for bilateral lung transplantations are good news for patients with end stage cystic fibrosis.   However, there are other notable side effects of such major surgery including transplantation rejection, bacterial and lung infections, hypertension, kidney failure, etc.   In fact, bacterial infections is one of the leading causes of morbidity after this surgery.  

However, even though the risks are high, the quality of life of cystic fibrosis patients is likely to be improved as is the survival length.   As new techniques and anti-bacterial medicines are being developed, hopefully they will further benefit these people.