Lung Transplant Overview

Life-threatening (end-stage) pulmonary disease was once a condition for which limited treatment – or hope – was available. Today, UAB offers lung transplantation as an option to improve the health, and prolonged survival of patients with advanced lung disease. Lung transplant can benefit patients with disease such as:

• Cystic fibrosis  
• COPD   
  • Smoking related
  • Alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency related
• Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis  
  • NSIP or other interstitial lung diseases
• Pulmonary arterial hypertension  
• Advanced lung disease related to autoimmune diseases
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Scleroderma
  • Lupus
• Hypersensitvity pneumonitis
• Sarcoidosis
• Occupational lung diseases
  • Silicosis with progressive massive fibrosis
• Lymphangioleiomyomatosis  
• Pulmonary veno occlusive disease
• Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis

History
Since UAB’s first lung transplant in 1989, the UAB Lung Transplant Program has established a national reputation for excellence as a result of the commitment and expertise of the distinguished transplant team. Currently, more than 400 patients have received a new lease on life through lung transplantation at UAB. Our program’s long and successful history is built on our ongoing dedication to providing the highest quality of compassionate care. Our patients benefit from this well-established record of excellence and experience, offering them the highest level of expertise and better chances of survival after surgery.

Our patient survival is at the expected level for the nation. Our longest surviving patients have been transplanted for over 20 years. For more information on survival data at UAB and at other transplant centers nation wide: Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients http://www.srtr.org

Why Lung Transplant at UAB?
UAB lung transplant patients receive compassionate, exceptional pre- and post-transplant care and rehabilitation from a skilled, multidisciplinary team of specialists that includes surgeons, pulmonologists, nurses, transplant coordinators, mental health professionals, and transplant social workers. In addition, our patients have access to comprehensive education and teaching materials throughout every step of the transplant process – including classes and supportive face-to-face discussions. UAB’s patient-centered approach helps to ease anxiety about the transplant process so that our patients can look ahead to the future.

Information

• For Patients  
• For Physicians  
• Contact and Reference