About the Lung Transplant Program

Lung transplantation is a surgical option for select patients with advanced, nonmalignant lung disease. Transplantation is considered when all other treatment options have been exhausted. Depending on the type of lung disease, one or both lungs may be transplanted.

The first successful lung transplant was performed in 1983. Dr. Larry Kaiser was one of the participating surgeons and brought this expertise to the University of Pennsylvania. In July 1991 he established the area's first lung transplant program at the Penn Transplant Center.

As of July 2004, we have performed over 400 procedures. The program is the most experienced in the Delaware Valley and one of the most active centers in the country, performing 25 to 35 procedures each year. Under the joint leadership of Alberto Pochettino, MD and Robert Kotloff, MD, current survival rates for the program at Penn consistently equal or exceed national averages.

In addition to transplantation, we offer a variety of other treatments for lung disease, including:

• Novel Therapeutic Approaches for pulmonary hypertension
  Vasodilator therapy is a drug therapy used to treat primary pulmonary hypertension. Vasodilators dilate the blood vessels in the lungs and reduce the hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension can occur on its own (primary pulmonary hypertension), or it can accompany a variety of lung and cardiovascular diseases.

Pulmonary hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs is increased. Pulmonary hypertension can occur on its own (primary hypertension) or it can accompany a variety of lung and heart diseases. Vasodilators dilate the blood vessels in the lungs and reduce the hypertension. Some vasodilators dilate the blood vessels in the lungs and reduce the hypertension. Some vasodilator medications may be administered by mouth. Patients with severe exercise limitations who don't respond well to oral vasodilators are candidates for treatment with continuous intravenous prostacyclin. This medication has been shown to improve circulation in the lung's blood vessels, as well as patients' exercise tolerance, and survival rates. Prostacyclin is administered continuously through a catheter placed in the vein. Patients who undergo prostacyclin therapy must be hospitalized at the initiation of treatment for monitoring and education.

• Lung Volume Reduction Surgery for emphysema

• Emphysema Program

• Interstitial Lung Disease

• Adult Cystic Fibrosis

• Pulmonary Vascular Disease

• Pulmonary rehabilitation

• Transtracheal oxygen
  Transtracheal oxygen catheters (TTOC) are an important advance in long-term oxygen therapy. Any patient who needs oxygen on a long-term basis is a potential candidate for TTOC placement. This oxygen delivery system is an alternative to nasal cannula oxygen therapy (oxygen delivered through the nose). While the patient is under local anesthesia, the doctor places a TTO catheter into the trachea, then secures the catheter in place with a necklace. When connected to a portable oxygen tank or other oxygen source, the catheter delivers oxygen directly into the trachea.

Patients benefit from transtracheal oxygen delivery in a number of ways. They need less oxygen, can exercise better, and don't have to work as hard to breathe. TTOCs are also less obvious in appearance and don't interfere with eating or drinking.

TTOC require a significant amount of care on the part of the patient. The TTOC program at the Penn Lung Center provides education and close follow-up for patients undergoing the procedure.

• Noninvasive mechanical ventilatory support
  Ventilatory (breathing) support delivered without a tube into the tracheal airway is called noninvasive ventilation. Over the past decade, noninvasive ventilation, delivered by a nasal or face mask, has gained increasingly widespread acceptance for the support of people with chronic respiratory failure. Many types of masks are available, including face masks that cover the nose and mouth, nasal masks, "nasal pillows" that fit into the nostrils, and cushion devices that fit across the nostrils.

Patients most likely to benefit from noninvasive ventilation are those with acute or chronic respiratory failure, but without other major medical complications. Noninvasive ventilation is used mainly during the night.

Many patients can avoid the trauma and potential complications of a breathing tube (intubation) and mechanical ventilation by using noninvasive ventilation. Noninvasive ventilation can help relieve dyspnea (labored breathing), improve sleep, and enhance the quality of life in selected patients.

Penn Lung Transplant Program physicians and transplant coordinators bring vast experience to their patients and are nationally recognized experts in clinical care. Our specialists are also internationally recognized for research in their fields of pulmonology, immunology and transplantation.

A multidisciplinary team of specialists provides comprehensive, coordinated care to each patient from the evaluation visit through the transplant procedure and postoperative care. Our goal is to provide the highest quality care and to restore each patient to a full and productive life. We work with the patient, family and primary care physician to develop the best treatment and follow-up care plan to meet the patient's needs.

	Need an appointment? Request one online 24 hours/day, 7 days/week or call 800-789-PENN (7366) to speak to a referral counselor.