The Lung Transplant Program at Froedtert Hospital provides specialized care for patients with advanced lung disease. Our team delivers coordinated, patient-centered care before, during and after transplant to support long-term health and survival.
Patients are cared for by an experienced, multidisciplinary team that includes transplant physicians, surgeons, nurses and other specialists. Each patient receives an individualized treatment plan based on their specific medical needs.
We evaluate and treat all forms of advanced lung disease and offer a full range of treatment options, including medical therapy, lung volume reduction surgery and lung transplant. Every patient undergoes a comprehensive assessment to determine whether transplant is appropriate or if other treatments may be more effective.
If you have been told that transplant is your only option, our team can provide a second opinion and review alternative approaches when appropriate.
As an academic medical center, we provide access to the latest therapies, clinical expertise and ongoing research.
Conditions That May Lead to Lung Transplant
Lung transplantation may be an option when advanced lung disease causes severe symptoms or limits daily activities despite medical treatments. Our Lung Transplant Program evaluates patients with a wide range of complex lung diseases. Every patient’s situation is unique, which is why a thorough evaluation by a specialized care team is essential to determine whether transplant, or another advanced therapy, is appropriate.
Lung diseases that may lead to transplant include:
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome: A sudden and severe lung injury that makes it very hard to breathe. It can happen after infections, injuries or other serious illnesses. Even with treatment, the lungs may not fully recover.
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1): A genetic condition that can damage the lungs over time. It may lead to early emphysema, even in people who have never smoked.
- Bronchiectasis: A condition where the airways become widened and damaged. This makes it harder to clear mucus, leading to frequent infections and breathing problems.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A long-term lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe due to airway damage and inflammation.
- COVID-19–related lung fibrosis: In some people, severe COVID-19 infection can leave lasting scars in the lungs. This scarring can make it hard for oxygen to move into the blood, causing ongoing breathing problems.
- Cystic fibrosis (CF): An inherited condition that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs. This leads to frequent infections and gradual lung damage over time.
- Histiocytosis: A rare lung disease where certain immune cells build up and damage lung tissue. It is often linked to smoking and can cause cysts and breathing problems.
- Pulmonary fibrosis (Lung Scarring): A condition where lung tissue becomes scarred and stiff. This makes it harder to breathe and for oxygen to enter the bloodstream. The cause is sometimes unknown.
- Pulmonary hypertension: High blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs. This puts strain on the heart and can lead to shortness of breath, fatigue and other symptoms.
- Sarcoidosis: An inflammatory disease where small clumps of cells (called granulomas) form in the lungs and other organs. In some cases, it can lead to permanent lung damage.
- Scleroderma and other connective tissue disorders: Autoimmune conditions (where the immune system attacks the body) that can affect the lungs. They may cause inflammation or scarring, leading to breathing problems over time.
Additionally, there are other end-stage lung diseases, including other advanced lung conditions where the lungs can no longer provide enough oxygen or remove carbon dioxide effectively, despite medical treatment.
For some patients, lung transplant offers the best option to improve breathing and enhance quality of life when other forms of treatment are no longer effective.
Why Choose Froedtert Hospital for Your Lung Transplant
Our Lung Transplant Program combines deep clinical expertise, advanced technology and a patient-centered approach to care. As an academic medical center, we manage complex cases while offering innovative therapies and individualized treatment plans. Our integrated team works seamlessly across specialties to support patients before, during and long after transplant.
Expertise in Caring for Complex Patients
Our program operates within the largest extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) center in Wisconsin, giving our team extensive experience with advanced life support technologies. This expertise allows us to safely support critically ill patients whose hearts or lungs need temporary assistance while they await transplant.
Because of this experience and our strong multidisciplinary infrastructure, we can evaluate and treat many patients who may not be considered candidates at other centers.
Access to Advanced Therapies and Innovation
As a large academic medical center, our program offers access to a wide range of advanced therapies and research opportunities. Patients may be eligible for clinical trials and additional treatment options, including surgical and bronchoscopic lung volume reduction procedures for selected patients with severe lung disease. We also maintain a higher body mass index (BMI) threshold for transplant evaluation than many programs. This approach helps expand access to transplant while maintaining strong outcomes for our patients.
Multidisciplinary Team Approach
Our pulmonary and critical care physicians have extensive experience evaluating and treating patients with advanced lung disease. They remain actively involved in each patient’s care before transplant and continue to follow patients after surgery to support recovery and long-term health. Care is delivered by a coordinated team of specialists who work together to develop individualized treatment plans. We tailor advanced therapies to each patient’s medical condition and goals.
Lung Transplant Referral or Second Opinion
We are happy to work with you or your doctor to explore more options regarding your condition.
Lung Transplant FAQ and Resources
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Would I need a single- or double-lung transplant?
That depends on the cause of your lung disease and other factors. For example, patients with pulmonary hypertension or cystic fibrosis will need a double-lung transplant while patients with emphysema or pulmonary fibrosis might only need a single-lung transplant.
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How are patients waiting for a donor lung prioritized?
The lung allocation process is led by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), operated by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). The process is based on a patient’s medical condition and not on how long he or she has been waiting for a donor lung. Everyone is evaluated and assigned a national composite socre (CAS) based on a total picture of their condition and how urgently they need a transplant.
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Where can I get more information?
- United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) – Provides access to various national, regional, state and center-specific data reports and information about the lung allocation process.
- Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) – National and local transplant center data.
- Transplant Living – A patient education site sponsored by UNOS to inform about life before and after transplant.
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients – Generates reports to compare survival rates of heart transplant facilities across the country
- Visit Children’s Wisconsin, Versiti and the Medical College of Wisconsin to learn more about our Transplant Center partners.
Rated as High Performing by U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report rated Froedtert Hospital as high performing in seven adult specialties and 21 procedures and conditions, including cancer, pulmonology and lung surgery and lung cancer surgery.
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