Article

Since the late 1980s, lung transplantation has become an option for some
individuals (in 2014, 4000 lung transplantations were performed) with end-stage
lung disease aimed to help these individuals restore function and improve
survival and quality of life. Individuals living with end-stage lung disease
already are deconditioned,
with poor endurance and limited exercise capacity.
There are additional post-transplantation factors that can contribute to poor
endurance and decreased exercise capacity. Although pulmonary rehabilitation in
the pretransplantation phase is a crucial component for positive functional
outcomes after lung transplantation, the incidence of post-transplantation
complications, coupled with the need for immunosuppression, often warrants close
monitoring by medical professionals. The acute inpatient rehabilitation unit
offers an ideal setting for such patients to receive therapies to improve
functional status while allowing for monitoring and medical management with a
comprehensive team approach, including both the rehabilitation and the
transplantation teams. In this article, we review the medical issues, physiologic
changes, common complications after lung transplantation, and potential side
effects of immunosuppressant therapy, as well as address rehabilitation specific
concerns, outcomes, and goals of the patient undergoing lung transplantation in
the acute inpatient rehabilitation unit. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.
CI - Copyright (c) 2017 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS