Lung Transplant

------ Choose a topic: ------ What is a lung transplant? Am I a candidate for lung transplant? Is there a lung available for me? Success rates The transplant team Heart and lung combined transplant Cost and payment More information  

What is a lung transplant?

Lung transplant replaces one or both diseased lungs with the lungs from a healthy person. Some chronic illnesses result in destruction of the lung tissue.  These include emphysema or alpha-one-antitrypsin deficiency (low levels of lung-protecting protein). Other diseases result in scarring of the lung and may interfere with oxygen levels, including pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, sarcoidosis, eosinophilic granuloma (presence of cysts in one or more bones) and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (abnormal cells growing throughout the lungs and blocking airways). Additionally, some diseases such as bronchiectasis (injury to the lung’s airway walls) and cystic fibrosis result in chronic infection that can be effectively treated with lung transplant. Most patients require only a single lung transplant. Patients with chronic lung infections often require a double lung transplantation. 

For many patients, this procedure is an opportunity for a healthier quality of life. There are some conditions for which transplantation is not appropriate. Other health problems can increase the risk of this procedure, therefore, a lung transplant is not for everyone.
 
Our goal is to help you and your family learn more about lung transplantation and begin the decision-making process. We encourage you to contact the Lung Transplant Office toll free at 1-800-456-5287 or locally 859-323-6497 with additional questions or read the FAQ.

Am I a candidate for lung transplantation?
Generally, candidates for lung transplantation are patients:

• Who have end-stage pulmonary disease of any diagnosis

• Who have less than a two-year prognosis of survival

• Whose daily activities are severely limited and who require oxygen

• Who have a good potential for rehabilitation afterward

Usually transplant patients have no medical or surgical alternative other than transplantation. Currently, single lung transplantation is the most commonly performed procedure.

Since transplant requires a lifelong commitment to taking medication and to having regular physician contact, patients also must understand and be willing to accept this responsibility.

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Is there a lung available for me?
Only human lungs can be transplanted into humans, so each lung transplant involves a donated lung from a cadaveric donor.

Cadaveric donor – A cadaveric donor is a person with irreversible brain damage or who has been declared brain-dead and whose family has agreed to donate the organs for transplantation. The distribution of cadaveric donor lungs is managed by regional organ procurement agencies, all of which are closely regulated by the United States government. Potential recipients are registered on both national and regional waiting lists. Recipients for donor lungs are selected based on the closest blood type and height match, as well as length of time on the waiting list. There are many issues to consider in determining the best donor option for you. The transplant team will work with you in evaluating all aspects of each option, including consideration of your medical situation and tissue compatibility needs.

Patients referred to our Transplant Center undergo a complete medical assessment specific to their needs. This assessment may include:

• Medical imaging

• Chest X-ray and CT

• Nuclear lung volume scan

• Abdominal ultrasound

• Cardiac evaluation

• EKG

• Echocardiogram

• Heart catheterization

• Pulmonary assessment

• Pulmonary function test

• Six-minute walk

• Laboratory tests

• GI workup

In addition, lung transplant patients must be nonsmoking for the rest of their lives.

Patients are also screened for anticipated compliance, support system availability and emotional stability. Financial coverage for the transplant and aftercare is also confirmed.

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Success rates
The success of lung transplant depends largely on your condition going into the surgery.  If you are in fairly good condition, your chances for a successful outcome within 30 days are between 80 and 90 percent. Patients who are critically ill have lower chances for a good outcome.

Overall, the chance of living one year after lung transplantation is 77 percent. After the first year, patients who consistently take their medication and visit their physician should continue to enjoy the benefits of transplant for a long time.

The transplant team
Timothy W. Mullett, MD, is the surgical director of the UK HealthCare Transplant Center's lung transplant program and Thomas H. Waid, MD, is the medical director.

The transplant team consists of doctors, nurses, social workers, dietitians, pharmacists, financial counselors and other healthcare professionals working together to care for you throughout the transplant process.

For a listing of other members of the transplant teams, please go to the main University of Kentucky employee directory.

Heart and lung combined transplant
The Transplant Center also offers combined heart and lung transplantation. The director for the heart/lung transplant program is Timothy W. Mullett, MD, and the medical director is Thomas H. Waid, MD.

The combined heart/lung surgical procedure is similar to the heart transplant operation. The operation is more complex, however, and the one-year survival rate is approximately 60 percent. 

Cost and payment
The costs associated with transplantation, both for the procedure and for post-transplant care, can be a source of concern for potential recipients. There are a number of ways to cover the cost of a transplant, including private insurance, Medicare coverage, Medicaid, advocacy organizations and fundraising. UK HealthCare has been designated a Center of Medical Excellence by Anthem Health Insurance for our lung transplantation program. Lung transplant patients covered by Anthem Health Insurance can be referred to and treated at the UK HealthCare Transplant Center.

A financial counselor is available at the UK HealthCare Transplant Center to assist you with resources available for you. It is important to discuss these issues prior to surgery. You can reach the finance counselor by calling 859-323-9347.

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More information
Lung transplant

See a list of online transplant resources.

To make an appointment or find a physician, please call UK HealthCare at 859-257-1000 or toll free 1-800-333-8874.
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Page last updated Wednesday, March 7, 2007 3:21 PM