Are you eligible for a lung transplant?
You are a suitable candidate for a lung transplant if you meet the following criteria:
- you have a chronic lung disease at an end-stage level.
- your current medical treatment is insufficient.
- no additional medical treatment is available for you (any longer).
- you adhere to your current therapy and are willing to continue it rigorously after the transplant.
Conditions
A transplant has a major impact on your life. Before making this decision, you must be willing to make changes to your current lifestyle.
This implies:
- a lifelong follow-up by the transplant team
- gaining insight into your medical condition
- a lifelong and strict medication intake
- participating in a rehabilitation programme
- adhering to the agreed commitments
- that you have quit smoking for at least 6 months
- that your age does not exceed:
- 65 years for a lung transplant.
- 50 years for a heart and lung transplant.
Screening
Why is pre-transplant screening necessary? (in Dutch)
What does pre-transplant screening involve?
During a short hospital stay, all necessary tests will be carried out to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for a lung transplant. Since the heart and lungs work closely together, your heart will also be thoroughly examined.
Below is an overview of the most important medical examinations.
Evaluation
Once all tests are completed, the results will be discussed by the transplant team.
There are several possible outcomes:
The transplant is premature
Your lung disease is still at too early a stage for a transplant. You will be monitored regularly by your pulmonologist in collaboration with the transplant doctor at UZ Leuven. Your condition will be tracked, and you will be placed on the transplant list at the appropriate time.
Further tests are required
Test results may reveal medical or surgical issues that need further clarification before a final decision can be made.
The transplant poses too great a risk
The tests may show that a transplant poses too great a risk to your health or survival after the transplant. This will be discussed in detail with the transplant doctor.
You are eligible for a transplant
If no contraindications are identified, you will be activated on the waiting list.
