Who requires a lung transplant
A lung transplant is considered the last option for treating lung failure. Conditions that may damage your lungs enough to warrant a transplant include:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Emphysema
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Sarcoidosis
Not everyone is eligible for a lung transplant. The doctor will need to assess your physical and mental health before determining whether or not you are eligible for a lung transplant.
Checking for eligibility includes the following types of evaluation:
- Physical evaluations, including tests to assess lung, heart and kidney functions.
- Psychological evaluations, including consultation with a social worker or therapist to ensure that your mental health is looked after. They may want to meet family members to ensure that there is a good support system.
- Financial evaluations, to assess your insurance package and help you with various payment options and schemes by NGO organisations and the government.
Certain factors may indicate that a lung transplant would not be ideal for you.
- A recent active infection
- A recent personal medical history of cancer
- Serious diseases such as kidney, liver or heart diseases
- Are unwilling or unable to make necessary lifestyle changes
- Do not have a supportive network of family and friends
Lung and respiratory failure
The lungs are a spongy, pinkish organ that form the centre of the respiratory (breathing) system. Every cell of the body needs oxygen to stay alive and healthy…..
Lung transplant procedure
A lung transplant is viewed as a last possible resort in the treatment of respiratory failure. When patients in severe respiratory failure show no improvement …