Lung Transplant
The Vanderbilt Health lung transplant program offers some of the best outcomes in the country. The only program in Tennessee, we give hope and extend lives for those with end-stage lung disease, including many not considered candidates by other transplant centers. Our innovative treatment options mean shorter wait times, quicker recovery and fewer complications.
We evaluate all patients with advanced lung disease who continue to decline despite receiving optimal medical management. When a patient begins needing supplemental oxygen therapy, the right next step is often a referral for transplant assessment.
Conditions
Some conditions that may lead to transplant consideration include:
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Other advanced lung diseases
Meet Your Care Team
In addition to our skilled surgeons, pulmonologists and advanced practice providers, your care team includes nurse coordinators and support staff to help you through the entire process.
Matthew BacchettaMD, MBA, MA
- Cardiac Surgery, Lung Transplant, Lung Transplantation, Lung/Thoracic Cancer, Pulmonary Endarterectomy for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension, Surgery for Diseases of the Lung, Surgery for Diseases of the Rib Cage and Diaphragm
Caitlin T. DemarestMD, PhD
- Lung Transplantation, Robotic Surgery, Surgery for Diseases of the Esophagus, Surgery for Diseases of the Lung, Surgery for Diseases of the Rib Cage and Diaphragm, Thoracic Surgery
Eric L. GroganMD, MPH
- Lung Conditions, Lung Transplant, Lung Transplantation, Lung/Thoracic Cancer, Surgery for Diseases of the Lung, Surgery for Diseases of the Rib Cage and Diaphragm, Surgery for Lung Cancer and Esophageal Cancer
Konrad HoetzeneckerMD, PhD, MBA
- Cancer, Lung Cancer, Thymic Cancer and Mesothelioma, Lung Transplant, Lung Transplantation, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Pediatric Lung Transplant, Surgery for Diseases of the Lung
Eric S. LambrightMD
- Lung Conditions, Lung Transplant, Lung Transplantation, Lung/Thoracic Cancer, Pediatric Lung Transplant, Surgery for Diseases of the Lung, Surgery for Diseases of the Rib Cage and Diaphragm
Ivan M. RobbinsBA, MD
- Allergy / Pulmonary and Critical Care, Critical Care Medicine, Lung Transplant, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Ciara M. ShaverMD, PhD
- Allergy / Pulmonary and Critical Care, Critical Care Medicine, General Pulmonary Medicine, Internal Medicine, Lung Transplant, Pulmonary, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Why Choose Lung Transplant at Vanderbilt
- Great outcomes
Our program has one of the best survival rates in the United States. Our 1-year survival rate is over 97%. Most of our patients return to an active, fulfilling life with quality they had not had before .
- Shorter wait times
Our team typically sees patients for evaluation within two weeks. As one of the largest transplant centers in the country, Vanderbilt can consider all available donors. This leads to one of the lowest average wait times in the country. In many cases, our patients match with a donor lung in less than a week.
- Faster recovery time
We offer minimally invasive transplant surgery, with incisions of about 3 inches or smaller. Combined with innovative pain management, this approach shortens time in intensive care and speeds recovery. In fact, we were the first lung transplant program in the world to establish an “enhanced recovery after surgery” specific to lung transplant. We remain one of the few centers offering ERAS. Its benefits include better outcomes, shorter hospital stays, fewer complications and improved pain management.
- Innovation
Our team consistently leads the field in developing new treatments and approaches. These include improvements to identify and prevent organ rejection, in long-term function of the transplanted lung and in pulmonary rehabilitation. Vanderbilt also has one of the most advanced Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation programs. ECMO technology supports very sick patients while waiting for a life-saving organ.
- Second opinions
We accept the most complex patients. Our experience and expertise allow us to offer lung transplants to those not considered candidates by other centers.
- International program
Our lung transplant program is open to patients from outside the United States.
Lung Transplant: Amanda's Story
Tests, Treatments and Services
- Dual-organ transplant