Background
The first lung transplantation was performed in 1963 by James Hardy. After more than 50 years over 32,000 lung transplantations have been carried out worldwide and it is therefore an accepted procedure for selected patients in end stage advanced lung disease. The most common disease entities leading to lung transplantation are pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis (CF), primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Objective
At first glance transplantation medicine and palliative care have opposite approaches, namely curative versus palliative. For this reason the question arises whether palliative care can be integrated into lung transplantation programs and achieve benefits before and after lung transplantation for patients, their families and care givers.
Implementation of palliative care into transplantation medicine
Because of the curative approach in lung transplantation, palliative care concepts have rarely been established. A systematic approach for the integration of palliative care into lung transplantation programs does not currently exist and a prerequisite would be clearly defined criteria, which have not yet been established. The focus of consultation of palliative teams to support the treatment of lung transplantation patients are end of life discussions, family support, pain and symptom management, psychological issues and planning of care.
Conclusion
Palliative care can be usefully integrated into transplantation medicine. In the phases before and after lung transplantation palliative care can fulfil an important role in the care of patients and thereby contribute measures to support patients and their families.