The final stages of pulmonary fibrosis involve pulmonary hypertension, respiratory failure and heart failure, explains the American Lung Association. Patients may need supplemental oxygen to breathe.
Patients in the final stages of pulmonary fibrosis usually need pulmonary rehabilitation to boost their endurance, notes the Lung Institute. In very severe cases, the physician may recommend a lung transplant. Stem cell treatment may also be used to improve the functionality of the lungs. In the end, patients may require hospice care. As patients approach the end of life, carbon dioxide levels in the blood may rise and oxygen levels may fall, explains Net Wellness. This leads to increased sleepiness and eventually coma.
