Lung Transplant Program
The UK Transplant Center has completed more than 400 lung transplants since it was founded in 1964. We offer single-lung and double-lung transplant for adults and children with a variety of life-limiting lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension and sarcoidosis. We also offer combined heart and lung transplants.
Our team of cardiothoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, pharmacists and nurses works together to determine the appropriate treatment options for each patient, while social workers and support staff help our patients and their families throughout the transplant process — before, during and after surgery.
In fact, we use ambulatory extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a technique that provides oxygen support as a bridge to transplant for patients with advanced lung disease.
About lung transplant
Lung transplantation is a type of surgery to remove a diseased lung and replace it with a healthy lung. In the majority of lung transplantation surgeries, the healthy lung comes from a deceased donor. Lung transplantations can be single or double replacements.
In the case of single lung transplantation, an incision is made on the same side of the lung to be replaced while the patient is under anesthesia and hooked up to a ventilator. The unhealthy lung is removed through the incision and replaced with the healthy lung. With double lung transplantation surgery, an incision is made in the lower chest that extends from side to side and each diseased lung is removed and replaced one at a time. Typically, a single lung transplantation surgery lasts from four to eight hours and a double lung transplantation surgery lasts from six to 12 hours with the patient remaining in the hospital for seven to 14 days or longer.
Education & Resources
Support group
With concerns surrounding COVID-19 and limiting public gatherings, we are canceling in-person support group meetings until further notice.
We are conducting virtual meetings on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 3pm. The group is relevant for pre-transplant patients, post-transplant patients and caregivers. For questions, or to join the group, contact Heather Palmer at 859-323-6019.
Patient education
The purpose of these guide is to provide you and your family with a better understanding of the transplant process. The information also will help you understand what questions to ask and who can answer them. We hope that by carefully reading through this book, you will be better prepared for your situation.
This education booklet explains what you can expect after your transplantation.
Helpful links
For additional information about transplant, visit the Web sites listed below. These sites are reputable organizations that offer reliable information.
- American Lung Association
- Better Breathers Club
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
- Pulmonary Hypertension Association
- COPD Foundation
- National Emphysema Foundation
- Respiratory Health Association
- Trust for Life
- Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA)
- United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
- Transplant Living
- Donate Life America
Make an appointment
Current patients
If you are a patient and need to reach a member of your transplant team, please contact us at:
Lung Transplant Team
Toll-free: 866-285-4337, option 5
Local: 859-323-3408
Patient stories
Double-lung transplant breathes new life into Winchester woman
Glenda Brown used to wake up in the middle of the night starved for breath. Seeking relief, she'd race to throw open her bedroom window just to inhale a rush of cold air to soothe her cramping chest.
Diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, in 2001, the 62-year-old Winchester resident spent nearly two decades fighting for each breath. Like many of her generation, Brown says she began smoking when she was just 17 years old.
