Lung Transplant Evaluation

What should I expect during a lung transplant evaluation?

When you come to the University of Chicago Medicine, we will evaluate you to determine if you are a candidate for a lung transplant. You will meet with several members of our transplant team and have time to ask questions about the lung transplant process. 

Your pre-transplant coordinator will work with you to arrange any tests that you might need. These tests, along with your medical history and exam, will determine if you are a candidate for a lung transplant at UChicago Medicine.

Who can I bring with me to my evaluation?

You should bring a friend or family member to your evaluation. They can partner with you and provide support and help you ask questions. They can also help you take notes, so you remember what you discussed with your team.

When should I be evaluated for lung transplant?

If you have end-stage lung disease that hasn’t improved with other treatments and a life expectancy of less than two years, you may be a candidate for a lung transplant. Ideally, we recommend getting evaluated at UChicago Medicine before you are limited by shortness of breath and meet the criteria for a lung transplant. Early evaluation will allow us to get you in the best possible health before surgery to improve your chances of a successful transplant. You don’t need a referral from a physician to learn if you are a transplant candidate at UChicago Medicine.

Why should I be evaluated for a lung transplant at UChicago Medicine?

Making an appointment with our lung transplant team is the best way to help you understand your options and possibly benefit from lifesaving treatment. We routinely help people who do not qualify for transplants at other centers, including those who require a second transplant.

If you have been declined at a different center because of your age or health conditions, please reach out to us at 1-773-702-4500 for a second opinion. You’ll receive a callback from our team within 24 hours.

See a map of our lung transplant evaluation locations in Chicagoland

What is involved in a lung transplant evaluation?

• In most cases, your pulmonologist (lung doctor) or primary care physician will refer you to our lung transplant team for evaluation. You can also refer yourself for evaluation by our team.

• You will be interviewed by phone by our pre-transplant nurse coordinator.

• You will meet with our team in person or via telehealth to see if you are potential candidate for a lung transplant evaluation. If issues like too much weight or poor nutrition prevent you from being a candidate at this time, our team can help you get in better shape for a future transplant. We can also refer you to the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for pulmonary rehabilitation before transplant.

• When you come to UChicago Medicine for a transplant evaluation, you will have tests, either at UChicago Medicine or a hospital closer to you, to determine if a lung transplant would be safe and beneficial for you.

• Our multidisciplinary team will review your test results to determine if you are a candidate. They will also discuss which type of transplant (single-lung, double-lung or multiorgan) would benefit you the most.

• If the team agrees that you would be a good candidate for a lung transplant, you will be registered on the national United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) waitlist. You will also receive a lung composite allocation score (lung CAS) from 0 to 100, which is based on the severity of your illness, chance for a successful transplant and other factors. Higher scores have higher priority to receive a compatible lung.

What tests do I need to determine if I am a candidate for a lung transplant?

Some of the tests you will need to determine if you are a candidate for a lung transplant include:

• An echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization, which check to see if your heart is healthy enough for surgery and post-surgery rehabilitation
• Imaging tests, such as X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, to evaluate your heart and lungs
• Bloodwork for organ matching and to check for viruses and other conditions
• Cancer screenings based on your age

Depending on your condition, our team may recommend that you have other tests. Our nurse coordinators will schedule whatever tests you need as part of this process. Keeping your appointments is important if you want to be considered for a transplant at our center.

How long does it take to get on the waitlist for a lung transplant?

The evaluation process for a lung transplant usually takes a few weeks. After your tests, our lung transplant team will meet to decide if you are a candidate for transplant at UChicago Medicine. Your nurse will call you with the decision.

If you are a candidate, we will place you on the national United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) waitlist.

How do doctors determine what type of lung transplant I need?

Our team will choose the type of transplant for you based on several factors, including:

• The function of both of your lungs
• Whether you have had previous lung infections
• Your age
• Whether you have pulmonary hypertension (a type of high blood pressure affecting blood vessels from the heart to the lungs)
• Your anatomy

Should I be evaluated for a lung transplant at multiple centers?

Getting evaluated at multiple centers may improve your chances of getting a transplant. However, it can be expensive and time-consuming.

If you have been declined for lung transplant at another center, we encourage you to get a second opinion from our team. Our team has extensive experience in complex transplants and helping patients who are not considered candidates at other centers.

If our team determines that you are not a candidate at UChicago Medicine, you may get evaluated at other transplant centers.