Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

The following criteria outline who may be considered for lung transplantation -- and who is excluded from consideration.

Patients may be considered for lung or heart/lung transplantation if they present with end-stage lung disease including the following conditions:

No response to conventional treatment
Limited life expectancy (less than two years)
Severely impaired lifestyle and exercise tolerance, NYHA Class III - IV symptoms
Oxygen dependence
Less than 75 years of age for single lung transplants
Less than 70 years of age for double lung transplants
Less than 60 years of age for heart/lung transplants

Patients may not be considered for lung or heart/lung transplantation if they exhibit any of the following:

Active or recent malignancy within two years of curative treatment without evidence of recurrence (within five years for breast cancer and melanoma)
Irreversible left-sided heat failure with an ejection fraction of less than 45% may only be a candidate for heart/lung transplantation.
High dose steroid therapy (more than 40 mg daily) that cannot be tapered or discontinued
Untreated or uncontrolled psychiatric disorders such as depression and psychosis
Extrapulmonary end-stage organ disease (multiple-organ transplant may be considered, when appropriate)
Known active infection or infection with highly resistant pathogens
History of noncompliance
Absence of strong social support system
Poor rehab potential

The selection committee may use its discretion for the following relative exclusion criteria:

Ventilator dependency
Recent smoking history or substance abuse (within six months)
Severe cachexia and malnourishment (BMI less than 19)
Morbid obesity (BMI greater than 30)
Severe extrapulmonary or systemic disorders (i.e. active autoimmune disease, poorly controlled IDDM, coronary artery disease)
History of pleurodesis or pleural effusion
Presence of significant esophageal dysfunction