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

+90 850 321 50 00

Lung Transplantation Eligibility Assessment

Assessment of transplantation candidacy 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 Lung Transplantation Eligibility Assessment?

Lung transplantation is the final treatment option for patients with progressive respiratory failure despite optimal medical therapy. The most common indications are COPD, IPF, cystic fibrosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Bilateral or single-lung transplantation can be performed. The BODE index (BMI, obstruction, dyspnea, exercise capacity) helps determine the timing of transplantation in COPD. Five-year survival is around 50-60%.

Symptoms

Progressive dyspnea despite optimal therapy
Oxygen dependence
Marked decrease in exercise capacity
Recurrent hospitalizations
Respiratory failure

Risk Factors

IPF: FVC decline of more than 10% in 6 months
COPD: BODE index of 7 or higher
Cystic fibrosis: FEV1 below 30%
PAH: WHO functional class III-IV
Congestion, syncope or right heart failure (in PAH)

When to See a Doctor?

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

  • Progressive respiratory failure despite optimal therapy
  • When estimated life expectancy is below 2-3 years
  • Six-minute walk test below 350 meters
  • DLCO below 40% (in IPF)

Treatment Methods

01
Multidisciplinary transplantation eligibility assessment
02
Pulmonary rehabilitation (pre-transplant conditioning)
03
Waiting-list management with the Lung Allocation Score (LAS)
04
Decision between bilateral and single-lung transplant
05
Post-operative immunosuppression (tacrolimus, mycophenolate, steroid)
06
Monitoring for chronic rejection (BOS - bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome)

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.