Lung Transplantation

Since 1988, patients have been coming to Loyola for lung transplantation - and they continue to come because of Loyola's experience and outcomes. As one of the nation's leaders in lung transplant, Loyola is among only seven institutions in the United States to have performed 500 or more lung transplants, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.

Today, Loyola's lung transplant program has become the largest and most successful in the state of Illinois. Loyola's lung transplant specialists perform approximately 30 lung transplants a year. Loyola lung transplant patients have a three-year survival rate of 76 percent, a rate that is 10 percent higher than national averages (for the period between July 2000 and December 2002).

Loyola's program is a resource not only for the state of Illinois but for the entire region. The program has drawn lung transplant patients from more than 12 surrounding states.

Loyola's lung transplant team takes a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Our team is comprised of thoracic/cardiovascular surgeons, pulmonary physicians, transplant nurse coordinators, a transplant nurse practitioner, a transplant pharmacist, social workers, dieticians and financial counselors, all of whom are dedicated to the care of transplant patients in all phases of their treatment.

The most common conditions that may lead to the need for a lung transplant are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. A common misperception is that patients with lung cancer have lung transplants. In fact, the presence of cancer rules out a patient for a transplant.

Loyola is the only lung transplant program in Illinois that is Medicare-approved. Additionally, Loyola is United Network for Organ Sharing and Blue Cross/Blue Shield approved.

The researchers in Loyola's lung transplant team are leading basic immunology research to find new treatment paths for the biggest hurdle in lung transplant: chronic rejection, a condition that can shave months and years from a transplant patient's life expectancy.

Contact Us

For an appointment or for more information about Lung Transplantation, call (888) LUHS-888.