Lung Transplantation for Sarcoidosis

LT (either single or bilateral) is a viable option for patients with end-stage pulmonary sarcoidosis refractory to medical therapy (113,198-200). From January 1995 to June 2006, 438 adults worldwide had received lung transplants for sarcoidosis (201). Long-term survival rates following LT for sarcoidosis are generally similar to other indications (198). However, in a retrospective review of U.S. data from 1995 to 2000, 30-day survival post-LT was 83% among 133 patients with sarcoidosis compared to 91% with other conditions 

Mortality rates among sarcoidosis patients awaiting LT are high (27-53%) (112,114). These high mortality rates reflect delayed referral for LT (198). Factors associated with increased mortality among sarcoid patients awaiting LT 

Interestingly, recurrent non-necrotizing granulomas have been noted in the transplant allografts in up to 35% of patients (202), but are not usually associated with symptoms (28). 

Lynch J III, Baughman R, Shatma O. Extrapulmonary sarcoidosis. Semin Respir Infect 1998 13 229-254. 

Statement on sarcoidosis. Joint Statement of the American Thoracic Society (ATS), the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG) adopted by the ATS Board of Directors and by the ERS Executive Committee, February 1999. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1999 160(2) 736-755. 

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