Lung Transplant Evaluation
Lung transplants aren’t right for everyone. But your doctor may suggest one if you have a serious medical issue other therapies can’t fix. Together with a lung transplant selection committee, your doctor will help you determine if getting a new lung is the right choice for you.
How Does an Evaluation Start?
Your pulmonologist starts the process by referring you to our lung transplant program at the Hume-Lee Transplant Center. Then, we’ll give you a physical exam and a series of tests to assess your lungs and overall health.
These tests include:
- Blood tests
- Bone density test
- Chest X-ray
- Colonoscopy
- CT scan of your lungs
- Heart echocardiogram
- Lung function test
What Does a Lung Selection Committee Do?
Once all your test results are in, our selection committee will review your case. This team is made up of doctors and other lung experts working to ensure people who need new lungs can get them.
The selection committee considers factors such as your:
- Age
- Other medical conditions
- Overall health
- Unique lung condition and how it will impact your future
- Weight
It often takes two to three weeks for the team to review your data and decide on eligibility. When they’ve reached a decision, we’ll contact you right away. If you’ve been approved for surgery, we’ll also explain the waitlist process in detail.
What Conditions Can a Lung Transplant Treat?
People with serious lung disease may experience severe shortness of breath which makes it hard to complete everyday tasks. Other treatments, like inhalers, sometimes help. But if they don’t, lung transplantation can be a life-changing option.
Lung transplantation can be used to treat lung diseases like:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Cystic fibrosis (CF)
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPD), a type of interstitial lung disease
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Sarcoidosis
Unfortunately, lung transplantation can’t treat lung cancer. However, if you or someone you love has lung cancer, our oncology colleagues at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center are ready to help with award-winning care and access to groundbreaking clinical trials.
Who is Eligible for Lung Transplantation?
People who need a lung transplant are very ill with more than a 50% chance of dying from lung disease within two years. If that describes your condition, your doctor will refer you for lung transplant evaluation.
You may be eligible for a lung transplant if you:
- Are 18-70 years old (or 70 to 75 without other health problems)
- Don’t have a substance abuse problem right now
- Have a BMI (body mass index) under 35
- Have a history of following medical advice
- Have healthy organs (other than your lungs)
- Need oxygen while resting or moving around
Of course, there are additional rules, which your doctor will go over with you. While a single risk factor doesn’t necessarily mean surgery isn’t right for you, many risks could mean surgery isn’t safe for you.
Talk with your doctor or visit the American Lung Association to learn more about lung transplantation.