Abstract

DELL´ERA, Silvina et al. Rehabilitación respiratoria de larga duración en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa en lista de trasplante pulmonar: Serie de casos. Rev. am. med. respir. [online]. 2016, vol.16, n.3, pp.279-283. ISSN 1852-236X.

In Argentina, the average time a patient awaits lung transplantation is 265 days, during which, the patient may undergo physiological changes associated with end-stage lung disease. Many studies have shown the benefits of a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program (PRP) with longer program duration correlating to more beneficial results. To our knowledge, there is currently no evidence that describes the benefits of a long term PRP among lung transplant candidates. Our goal is to give an account of the results of patients awaiting lung transplantation who have partaken in one year of PR. Case description: CASE 1. 36-year-old male, diagnosed with silicosis, presenting very severe restrictive ventilation patterns, decreased diffusion capacity and the use of supplemental oxygen during exercise. CASE 2. 61-year-old male, diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, mild pulmonary hypertension, mild restrictive ventilation patterns, moderate decrease in diffusion capacity, and long term oxygen therapy. Twelve months after beginning the PRP, both patients presented a decline in pulmonary function and improvement in exercise capacity (6 minute walk test, incremental testing, and constant-load test), muscle strength, and quality of life. In the first case, changes in dyspnea symptoms were not observed and in the second case, a decrease was noted. In conclusion, we believe that long term PR may be beneficial in patients with interstitial lung disease awaiting lung transplantation in terms of improving dyspnea symptoms, muscle strength, exercise tolerance, and enhancing quality of life.

Keywords : Lung transplant; Rehabilitation; Exercise.

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