What is lung transplantation?
Lung transplantation is taking one or both lungs from a donor and placing them into a person whose own lungs have severely limited functioning. In other words, lung transplantation is giving someone “new lungs.” The lungs usually come from someone who has died from other causes, but sections of lung from living donors have also been used. Anyone wishing to donate their organs can arrange for this by noting this on their driver’s license or contacting their state’s Organ Sharing Network.
Who needs a lung transplant?
Lung transplants are used for people with advanced lung disease and no other serious major illnesses. Common pulmonary illnesses that may lead to lung transplantation include COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, alpha-one antitrypsin disease and pulmonary hypertension. People requiring transplant usually have daily symptoms from their lung disease and a life expectancy of less than two years.
How are people evaluated for transplantation?
People who are interested in lung transplantation are seen by a team of doctors who perform this procedure. They usually have a complete physical evaluation and must have enough financial resources to cover both the procedure and the medications required to prevent organ rejection following the transplantation. They are then placed on a waiting list to receive one or two lungs which are a match for them based on size, blood or tissue type and need as determined by the lung allocation score (a score based on general medical health, age and expected survival). People who think they may want to receive a lung transplant as their pulmonary disease progresses should be evaluated early and not wait until their breathing significantly deteriorates.
What happens after lung transplantation?
After lung transplantation, patients undergo rehab and recovery. The new lung(s) are watched for signs of infection and rejection. A strict medication regimen must be followed, and patients will require frequent appointments with their physicians to keep them healthy. Current expected survival, in patients without complications, is 5-10 years.
Self-Check Evaluation for Lung Transplantation
- I am aware that my lung disease expected to limit my survival to two years or less.
- I do not have any other major health problems (i.e., cancer, heart disease, liver or kidney failure) that would otherwise affect my survival.
- I am willing to have major surgery and complete the required physical and pulmonary rehabilitation programs afterward.
- I am willing to take my medications faithfully and as prescribed and come for all follow-up appointments and testing.
- I am aware that lung transplantation is not without risk, and that I could have a worsening of my lung function or die from complications of this procedure.
Managing Doctors
- Primary Care
- Pulmonary
- Thoracic Surgery
- Transplantation Specialist
- Infectious Disease
Links
- American Thoracic Society