Eligibility

The types of lung diseases and disorders that might qualify for a lung transplant include:

• Emphysema (tobacco related, alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency)
• Pulmonary fibrosis, with causes that include: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), lymphangioleiomyomatosis, eosinophilic granuloma, scleroderma, chemotherapy or radiation related fibrosis
• Sarcoidosis
• Bronchiectasis (immotile cilia, idiopathic, cystic fibrosis)
• Pulmonary hypertension (primary or secondary)

Patients who meet the following general guidelines may be eligible for a lung transplant:

• Untreatable, advanced pulmonary disease despite maximal medical therapy
• Greater than 18 and less than 65 years of age
• Absence of significant systemic infection or disease
• No other organ system dysfunction
• Limited life expectancy of less than two years
• Abstinence from tobacco for at least six months
• Good ambulatory rehabilitation potential
• Good nutritional status
• Excellent support systems
• Excellent psychosocial profile and ability to maintain healthcare compliance
• No evidence of current dependence on alcohol or illicit substances

The contraindications that could make someone ineligible for a lung transplant include:

• Acute illness or unstable clinical status
• Current dependence on alcohol or illicit substances
• Current tobacco use
• Poor support systems or psychosocial profile
• Active psychiatric disease
• Obesity
• Malnutrition
• Moderate to severe cardiac, liver or kidney disease
• Incurable cancer
• Severe deconditioning and the inability to walk
• Active systemic disease or infection