Pulmonary Vascular Disease: Specific Evaluation and Timing for Listing Eligible Patients to Receive Lung Transplantation and Management of the Pre-lung Transplant Patient

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is characterized by progressive vasculopathy in the pulmonary arterial bed leading to right ventricular dysfunction and failure. Despite significant advances in medical therapy over the last several decades, lung transplantation remains a necessary treatment option for patients with severe and refractory disease. This chapter discusses the role of lung transplantation in the management of pulmonary hypertension as well as transplant-specific considerations, including the use of single versus dual lung transplant and the diminishing role of combined heart and lung transplantation.