We are proud to be one of the nation’s leading lung transplant centers since 1986. Our team, a nationally recognized transplant center, has performed more than 1,200 lung transplants in children and adults. Our lung transplant program is one of the largest and most successful in the United States. We are consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as “high performing” and are known for our expertise and compassionate care. We have a multidisciplinary approach to care.

Nursing staff, physical therapists, rehabilitation therapists, transplant pulmonologists, pharmacists, and dietitians are all integral in helping patients achieve successful outcomes. As one of the nation’s leading lung and multi-organ transplant centers, you can trust you are in good hands and will receive a lifetime of support.

 

What is the process for getting a lung transplant?

Getting a transplant begins with a referral to our transplant program. The process that follows has several stages, each of which helps your transplant care team determine if lung transplant is the best option for treating your lung disease:

Referral: Meet the transplant team to learn about the transplant process and about lung transplant as a treatment option for lung disease.

Evaluation: Complete a series of medical tests and visit with specialists from the transplant team to learn about transplant in more detail and determine if you are a candidate.

Waitlist: Maintain your health and follow up closely with your transplant care team while awaiting a donor match.

Transplant: When a pair of lungs become available and are a good match for you, you will undergo lung transplant surgery at our hospital in Minneapolis.

Post-Transplant: With the lifelong support of your transplant care team and your social support, you will recover from your surgery and learn how to care for your new lungs.

Referral

Your pulmonologist sends us a referral if they think lung transplant may be an option for you. You can also self-refer by calling our Transplant Office. Our medical team will review your records to determine if you are eligible for a transplant consultation based on your health history. If you are eligible for consultation, you will meet with one of our Transplant Pulmonologists at our Transplant Clinic in Minneapolis. The Transplant Pulmonologist will talk with you and your loved ones about transplant options and answer your questions.

Evaluation

If your Transplant Pulmonologist determines that transplant may be an effective treatment option for you, we will schedule you for a lung transplant evaluation. The evaluation is about 5 days of tests, imaging, and meeting with specialists from the lung transplant team. After you have completed the evaluation, the transplant team will meet and review your results together to determine if you are a candidate for lung transplant at our program.

Waiting for Lungs

If you are approved as a transplant candidate, you will be added to the national transplant waiting list. During your time on the waiting list, you will see your Transplant Pulmonologist regularly for checkups. It is important that you commit to staying healthy and keeping up with your primary care and general pulmonologist while you wait.

Transplant

When you are matched with a donor, our team will notify you and you will come to our medical center in Minneapolis for your transplant surgery. When you are ready to discharge from the hospital after your transplant, you will stay locally in the Twin Cities metro area for at least three months, while you follow up closely with your transplant team each week to ensure your new lungs are functioning well and your recovery is progressing as expected.

Post-Transplant

You will continue to see your transplant team for transplant care for the rest of your life, and take medicine daily to protect your transplanted lungs and keep them functioning. We look forward to helping you care for your transplanted lungs and get the most out of your post-transplant life.