Findings Indicating Poor Survival in Patient with Nonmalignant Lung Disease

Patient selection:

(1) irreversible, nonmalignant lung disease

(2) evaluation after pulmonary rehabilitation

(3) absence of a reversible, acute superimposed lung disease

Signs of poor prognosis - one or both of the following:

(1) low exercise capacity (<= 25 Watts for women; <= 40 Watts for men) in patients with emphysema and/or COPD

(2) walking distance along a level surface limited by dyspnea to <= 0.5 blocks