Exercise Limitation in Recipients of Lung Transplants

ung transplantation is a viable option for improving survival and quality of life in selected patients with end-stage lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and cystic fibrosis.1 Following lung transplantation, there are substantial improvements in pulmonary function and a subsequent improve-ment in exercise capacity; however, peak exercise remains reduced to 40 % to 60 % of predicted values even up to 2 years after transplantation. Williams et al2 tested maximal exercise capacity in recipients of a single-lung transplant (SLT) (n6) and in recipients of a double-lung transplant (DLT) (n7) at 3 months and again at 1 to 2 years after transplantation. At 3 months after transplantation, peak oxygen consumption (V̇o2peak) was 46 % of predicted values in the SLT group and 50 % of predicted values in the DLT group. At 1 to 2 years after transplantation, there was no improvement in maximal oxygen consumption (V̇o2max) or maximal work capacity in either group, despite improvements in lung function and return to regular activities (ie, school o