Lung Transplant

Lung Transplant - What it is

Lung transplantation is an effective treatment for patients with end-stage lung disease – a condition where the lungs are so diseased that they can no longer perform their normal function to obtain sufficient oxygen for the body.

Lung Transplant - Symptoms

Lung Transplant - How to prevent?

Lung Transplant - Causes and Risk Factors

Lung Transplant - Diagnosis

Who needs a lung transplant?

Patients with end-stage lung disease are likely candidates for lung transplants. Some common causes of end-stage lung disease which require lung transplantation include:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Bronchiectasis
Pulmonary Hypertension (Primary and Secondary)

Who is eligible for a lung transplant?

When the transplant team decides that a candidate is suitable for transplantation, the patient’s name will be placed on the waiting list. Donor lungs are matched with recipients according to the following criteria:

Size (height and weight)
Chest measurements (chest circumference & chest x-ray measurements)
Blood type (O, A, B or AB)

The quality of the donor lungs is of the utmost priority. Donor lungs are thoroughly evaluated by the lung transplant team. The evaluation includes examination of the donor’s chest x-ray, medical history, social history (with particular emphasis on tobacco and substance abuse), amount of oxygen in the blood (arterial blood gases) and bronchoscopy.

Lung Transplant - Treatments

Lung transplantation involves removing the diseased lung or lungs from the recipient and replacing either one (single lung transplant) or both (bilateral lung transplant) with healthy ones from a recently deceased donor. Lung transplantation represents the best hope for patients with end-stage lung disease as it can offer patients better quality of life after the transplant.

Lung Donation

Donors are individuals who are brain-dead, meaning that the brain shows no signs of life while the person’s body is being kept alive by artificial means. Donors have often died as a result of a road accident, stroke or severe head injury. Since not enough organs are available for transplant, patients may wait for months for a transplant and some do not survive the wait.

For lung patients, the candidates will be strongly urged to participate in a pulmonary rehabilitation programme. Such a programme of monitored physical exercise will help build strength and endurance in preparation for the transplant and increase the chances of a successful outcome following the transplant.