Lung transplantation procedures are now considered accepted therapy in a wide variety of diseases that cause end-stage pulmonary disability. Lung transplantation began at UAB in 1989 as a combined program of the divisions of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery and Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.
Patients with end-stage pulmonary parenchymal or vascular diseases that cannot be treated effectively with conventional therapies should be considered for lung transplantation. Candidates should have an estimated survival of 12 to 24 months.
Single lung transplantation is the treatment of choice in pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, including alpha-I-antitrypsin deficiency. A physiologic age of less than 65 years is required for single lung transplantation.
Bilateral lung transplantation is necessary for patients with septic lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis. It is also a necessity for patients with primary pulmonary hypertension. A person’s physiologic age must be less than 55 years.