Pulmonary rehabilitation in patients before and after lung transplantation

Abstract

With increasing survival rates after lung transplantation, more attention has been directed towards the importance of improving exercise capacity, independent functioning, and quality of life (QOL) in these patients. Pulmonary rehabilitation of lung transplant candidates and recipients plays an important in optimizing physical function prior to transplant and facilitating recovery of function post-transplant. This review provides a role for pulmonary rehabilitation based on research and clinical practice in the pre-transplant, early and late post-transplant periods.