TABLE 1

General indications and contraindications for lung transplantation surgery in adults (all indications) [12]

Indications for surgery	Contraindications for surgery
High (>50%) risk of death from lung disease within 2 years if lung transplantation is not performed	Too early in the disease course
	Recent history of malignancy
High (>80%) likelihood of surviving at least 90 days after lung transplantation	Poorly controlled, chronic infection with highly virulent or resistant
	microbes
High (>80%) likelihood of 5-year post-transplant survival given adequate graft function	Active Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
	Untreatable dysfunction in another organ class^#
	Acute medical instability
	Uncorrected atherosclerotic disease
	Uncorrectable bleeding diathesis
	Significant chest wall or spinal deformity that may cause severe restriction after transplantation
	Body mass index >35.0 kg·m⁻²
	Current or a history of non-compliance to medical therapy
	Psychiatric or psychological conditions associated with inability to adhere to medical therapy
	Substance abuse or dependence
	Absence of an adequate or reliable social support system
	Severely limited functional status with poor rehabilitation potential

^#: unless combined organ transplantation can be performed, except in the case of chronic renal impairment due to venous congestion which is often reversible following lung transplantation [15].