Lung Transplant
About Us
The UPMC Lung Transplant Program is one of the most
recognized and experienced centers in the world for lung and combined
heart-lung transplantation. The UPMC Lung Transplant Program works closely with
the UPMC Comprehensive Lung Center to provide exceptional care for patients
along the entire spectrum of life-threatening lung diseases.
Since the program's inception in 1982, UPMC surgeons have
performed 1,229 double lung transplants, 630 single lung transplants, and 136
combined heart-lung transplants, far exceeding other transplant centers.
UPMC's Lung Transplant Program is one of a few in the nation
that has achieved this significant volume, while maintaining outcomes that have
met national averages. This is especially important when you consider that UPMC’s
significant experience allows its specialists to accept many high-risk patients
who otherwise would be declined as lung transplant candidates.
Program Highlights
- Program inception: 1982
- 2,000 adult lung and combined heart-lung
transplants performed
- Evaluation of patients with scleroderma
- Retransplantation for those meeting specific
requirements
- Evaluation of international patients
Our
physicians are pioneers in the use of extra-corporealmembrane oxygenation (ECMO), making us one of the most active ECMO centers
in the country. ECMO is used to replace the heart and lung function by
circulating the patient’s blood through an artificial lung, supporting the
patient’s clinical condition to allow more time to find a suitable donor.
Who is A Candidate
Our program provides specialized
care for people with life-threatening lung diseases. Diseases treatable by transplantation therapy
include:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Alpha 1 Anti-Trypsin Deficiency
- Primary pulmonary hypertension (unknown cause)
- Bronchiectasis
- Emphysema
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Sarcoidosis
- Scleroderma
Volumes and Outcomes
As a pioneer in the field of solid-organ transplantation,
our program has been consistently challenged with some of the most difficult
and complex cases. Still, we maintain outcomes that are on par with national
benchmarks. To view specific information
about our outcomes, including one- and three-year survival rates, please visit
the Scientific Registry of Transplant
Recipients.
Research in Lung
Transplantation
UPMC lung transplant researchers have been at the forefront
in efforts to develop novel immunosuppressive regimens, including induction
lymphodepletion and the use of inhaled cyclosporine to minimize rejection and
improve long-term outcomes in lung patients. These regimens may also help to
reduce drug side effects.
UPMC is also actively involved in research pertaining to
organ perfusion. Perfusing the organ outside of the body (ex vivo organ perfusion) can improve donor lung quality and result
in transplantation of lungs that were previously deemed unsuitable for
transplantation. Through ex vivo
lung perfusion, we hope to expand the utilization of donor lungs and extend
this life-saving therapy to more patients with end-stage lung disease waiting
for transplantation.
