Lung Transplant

If you or a loved one suffers from advanced lung disease, like cystic fibrosis or COPD, and have been told you may need a lung transplant, our team is here to help. The first step is a referral to our transplant program.

Refer a patient

A lung transplant is considered when other medical treatments have been unsuccessful and offer no relief. It’s not recommended for patients with mild forms of disease, when severe disease affects multiple organ systems or as a treatment for lung cancer. Patients with heart disease or heart defects affecting the lungs may need a combined heart-lung transplant.

You may be a candidate for a lung transplant if you've been diagnosed with:

• Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Interstitial lung disease
• Pulmonary hypertension

Our lung transplant team provides comprehensive care for adults and children. They will help determine your eligibility for a lung transplant. A team of nurses, nurse educators, pharmacists, nutritionists, social workers, mental health providers, surgeons, pulmonologists and advanced practice providers will support you throughout the transplantation journey.

What to expect

To be considered for a lung transplant, you’ll undergo a thorough evaluation of your health by our transplant team. You will go through a series of consultations and diagnostic tests during the evaluation. The transplant physicians will be looking for medical or psychosocial conditions that would affect the chances of a successful transplant. The evaluation can be completed as either inpatient or outpatient.

Once our transplant team has a comprehensive understanding of your health, they will recommend the best treatment option for you, which may include a lung transplant.

The lung transplant procedures we perform include:

• Single-lung transplants in which only one lung is transplanted.
• Double-lung transplants in which both lungs are transplanted.
• Heart-lung transplants.

Why you should choose Nebraska Medicine

Our partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center gives us access to breakthrough clinical trials and innovative treatment options for end-stage lung disease and lung transplantation.

Our care does not end after transplant. Lung transplant team members will continue to be a resource for you and your family. They will provide ongoing education, care and support through every step of your transplant journey.