Lung Transplantation and Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Case Study

Over the past decade effective medical treatments for idio- pathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) have de- creased but not eliminated the need for lung transplantation for this disease. Timing of referral for transplant and listing remain critical judgments in the management of many PAH patients but are still subjects of significant debate. National initiatives that have increased donor organs overall and changed their distribution have changed previous decision- making for many centers. A case is presented that illustrates issues in managing the patient in whom medical therapy has failed.