What Is a Lung Transplant
A lung transplant is an operation in which the surgeon replaces a diseased, failing lung with a healthy lung from a deceased donor. Some people receive one lung, and others need two. In some situations, patients receive two lungs and a new heart.
People who are on a lung transplant waiting list have advanced lung disease that is not responding to therapy. Poor health prevents them from enjoying everyday activities.
Types of Lung Disease & Transplant Surgery
Our surgeons perform lung transplant surgery for patients with the following conditions:
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema, including emphysema resulting from Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD);
- interstitial lung diseases (ILD), such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or IPF, and other forms of ILD caused by conditions like scleroderma, rheumatoid disease, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE);
- cystic fibrosis (CF) and other forms of bronchiectasis not related to CF;
- occupational or work-related lung diseases like silicosis, pneumoconiosis, or asbestosis; and
- pulmonary hypertension, including idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (previously called primary pulmonary hypertension) and secondary pulmonary hypertension.
Our Lung Transplant Team
Lung Evaluation & Lung Transplant Waiting List
Lung Transplant Evaluation
Our team will complete an extensive evaluation. Learn more about lung transplant evaluation.
Lung Transplant Waiting List
When all of your test results are available and other appointments have taken place, members of our transplant team will have a selection meeting to review your results.
People are placed on the lung transplant waiting list if:
- the team agrees that a transplant is medically safe and appropriate for the patient's specific case and
- the patient's insurance company and the hospital's financial department have provided authorization.
After the team reaches a decision, you will be contacted to meet with one of the doctors and a transplant coordinator to discuss the next steps.
"It’s the most amazing feeling in the world to be able to breathe. People take it for granted, but it is a miracle. I really liked the transplant team at the University of Utah, they were great with my dad and treated him really well."
Making an Appointment
Depending on your insurance plan, you may need a referral from your doctor. Before scheduling your appointment, our team will request medical records from your pulmonologist or your primary care physician to help plan your visit.
To make an appointment with one of our transplant pulmonologists, call 801-585-3697.
Lung Transplant Cost
Our financial coordinator will contact your insurance company to make sure your policy will cover a lung transplant. The insurance company will review your records to confirm that you meet all their criteria for a lung transplant.
It is not uncommon for the financial coordinator to recommend patients and families consider fundraising to help with transplant related costs. Our financial coordinators are experts at what kind of fundraising is best to do related to lung transplant.
Resources
Health Insurance
Health insurance coverage, contracts, and payment may be subject to changes beyond the control of University of Utah Health. The University of Utah Transplant Department will contact your insurance and verify that your insurance is contracted with our facility and providers.
If your insurance is not contracted, we will attempt a single-case-agreement for transplant services to be performed at the University of Utah. Ultimately the patient is responsible for payment related to all services.
Our Lung Transplant Patients
Lala Juarez
At 24 years old, Lala Juarez was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension. With medication, she was able to keep her symptoms from worsening, but a lung transplant was the only cure for her condition. At the time of her diagnosis, she was considered too healthy to qualify for a lung transplant. Six years later, she was finally eligible to get a double lung transplant at U of U Health.
Tim Sanders
When he retired, Tim Sanders was looking forward to spending his time indulging in his hobbies, but his health was declining rapidly. Tim was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease that led to scarring in the lungs and he needed a lung transplant.
After extensive evaluations and a long waiting period, University of Utah Health was able to find Tim a match and give him a second chance at life.
