Lung Transplantation
Through the establishment of its Lung Transplant Program, the Florida Hospital Transplant Center seeks to improve the health and longevity of patients with serious pulmonary disorders. Florida Hospital's Lung Transplant Team is a multidisciplinary group comprised of highly skilled and experienced healthcare practitioners with valuable expertise in the field of lung transplantation. Our team strives to help patients and their referring physician determine the best option(s) for improving the quality of life for patients suffering with chronic lung disease.
When to Consider Lung Transplantation:
Transplant physicians follow certain guidelines to determine when it is appropriate to offer lung transplants to patients, please see: Factors in Patient Referral for Lung Transplantation. In general, patients offered lung transplants will be those considered to have an advanced lung disease in which their life expectancy is less than 50% within the next two years or also for those patients who consider their quality of life to be very poor. The main reasons for seeking a lung transplant are:
1. Emphysema/COPD
2. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
3. Cystic fibrosis (CF) and bronchiectasis
4. Pulmonary hypertension
5. Other diseases such as sarcoidosis, Langerhan's cell granulomatosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis.
The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) has produced practical guidelines for referrals relating to each of the main respiratory diseases (see:The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation).
If a patient and their referring physician would like to explore lung transplantation as a treatment option, Florida Hospital's Lung Transplant Team will conduct a thorough assessment to determine if the patient is suitable for lung transplantation. If transplantation is deemed too risky or considered an ineffective measure, the patient will be advised of alternative treatment options or possible inclusion in a clinical trial. Click here to see a current list of clinical trials.
Realities for Transplant Candidates:
Currently, the median waiting time for lung transplantation from the active waiting list in the United States is between 6 and 12 months. This strongly indicates the need for a timely referral and assessment in determining potential lung transplant candidates. A national database maintained by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) manages the process of matching waiting transplant candidates with potential donors. While this system is closely regulated and has become increasingly efficient, the reality is that the need for donor lungs exceeds the supply. Physicians within Florida Hospital's transplant program have independently chosen to provide their expertise to local organ procurement organizations to enhance the optimization of regional organ donation.
Once accepted as a suitable transplant candidate, patients must keep in close contact with the Florida Hospital Lung Transplant team. They must also commit to the required patient education programs and continue any current parallel medical treatment programs.
Lung Transplantation Results:
The survival rate for lung transplants has improved over the course of years. Currently, one year survival is approximately 82%. At the same time, it is important to note that long-term survival rates are only slightly improved, with five year survival rates after lung transplant estimated at roughly 55%. Although long term survival rates are still an issue, it is important to mention that most patients are only considered for lung transplantation because their life expectancy is less than 50% in the next two years without a transplant, (i.e., without a transplant, the patient is not expected to live beyond two years).
For all transplant patients, rejection and infection are the two biggest threats. Florida Hospital's experienced lung transplant pulmonologists closely monitor patients regularly for any possible threats or complications. Transplant recipients must take immunosuppressant medications regularly for the rest of their lives. Patients must keep in close contact with their transplant team and must commit to frequent and regular follow-up medical exams and tests. Florida Hospital gives their patients strong encouragement and support to maintain a healthy, active, and responsible lifestyle in order to achieve the best results possible.