The information on this website is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your physician for health concerns.

+90 850 321 50 00

Indications for Lung Transplantation

Eligibility criteria for lung transplantation as final treatment in advanced lung disease.

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Published:

This content is for general information; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.

References (5)

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Göğüs Hastalıkları department. Book Appointment →

What is Indications for Lung Transplantation?

Indications for lung transplantation define eligibility for transplant aimed at extending life expectancy and improving quality of life in advanced lung disease after all medical and surgical options are exhausted.

Most common indications are COPD (30-35%), interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (25-30%), cystic fibrosis (15-20%) and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Specific referral criteria are defined for each disease.

General referral criteria are progressive disease despite optimal therapy, expected survival under 2-3 years, NYHA III-IV functional class and unacceptable quality of life. Age limit is generally 65 (bilateral) to 70 (single lung).

Contraindications include active malignancy, uncontrolled infection, severe organ failure, history of nonadherence and active substance abuse. Evaluation is performed by a multidisciplinary team.

Symptoms

Conditions warranting transplant evaluation:
Resting oxygen requirement and severe hypoxemia
Frequent hospitalizations for exacerbations
Rapid progressive decline in FEV1 or FVC
Development of pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure
Markedly short distance on six-minute walk test (<250 m)

Risk Factors

Mortality on the waiting list (15-20% per year)
Primary graft dysfunction (early period)
Acute and chronic rejection
Infections (due to immunosuppression)
Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (chronic rejection)

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • When respiratory failure progresses despite optimal therapy
  • When long-term oxygen need and dependence increase
  • When pulmonary hypertension develops in chronic lung disease

Treatment Methods

01
Multidisciplinary transplant evaluation
02
Bilateral or single-lung transplantation
03
Lifelong immunosuppression (tacrolimus, mycophenolate, steroid)
04
Regular bronchoscopy and rejection surveillance
05
Infection prophylaxis (CMV, Pneumocystis, fungal)
06
Pulmonary rehabilitation (pre- and post-transplant)

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Göğüs Hastalıkları department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

Learn About Göğüs Hastalıkları Department

Let us help you

You can make an appointment with our specialists or contact us for your concerns.

Book AppointmentContact Us

Related Health Topics

Other articles from the same department you may want to explore.

Asthma

Göğüs Hastalıkları

Asthma is characterized by wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath attacks; with proper treatment it can be kept under control.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Göğüs Hastalıkları

COPD is an irreversible lung disease characterized by shortness of breath and chronic cough; quitting smoking slows its progression.

Pneumonia

Göğüs Hastalıkları

Pneumonia presents with high fever, cough and shortness of breath; the vast majority recover with appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Göğüs Hastalıkları

Tuberculosis presents with weeks-to-months of cough, fever, and night sweats; early diagnosis and treatment lead to full recovery.

Pleural Effusion

Göğüs Hastalıkları

Pleural effusion is the accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural space, resulting from imbalances in fluid production and removal, and represents a manifestation of diverse cardiopulmonary, infectious, and malignant disorders.

Pneumothorax

Göğüs Hastalıkları

Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space resulting in partial or complete lung collapse, classified as spontaneous (primary/secondary), traumatic, or iatrogenic, with tension pneumothorax representing a life-threatening emergency.

Bronchitis (Acute and Chronic)

Göğüs Hastalıkları

Acute bronchitis is mostly viral and resolves spontaneously, while chronic bronchitis is a smoking-related component of COPD.

Bronchiectasis

Göğüs Hastalıkları

Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by permanent, abnormal dilation of bronchi with associated destruction of muscular and elastic components of airway walls, resulting in impaired mucociliary clearance and recurrent infection.

Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.