The Largest Lung Transplant Program in the Region

The Transplant Center--Lung Transplantation

Improved Outcomes using advanced treatments

University of Minnesota physicians have been leaders in applying new therapies for patients with advanced pulmonary disease. These include lung volume-reduction surgery for emphysema and intravenous prostacyclin for pulmonary hypertension — therapies that are used as "bridges" to transplantation or may eliminate the need for transplantation.

Pulmonary Disease and Epoprostanol Therapy

For patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (a rare form of high blood pressure), epoprostanol (Flolan®), an intravenous drug that uses a naturally occurring chemical in the lining of blood vessels, may be an option. Epoprostanol can increase the diameter of blood vessels feeding the lungs, in this way it relieves the high blood pressure that can cause the right side of the heart to become dangerously enlarged. Several studies have shown that epoprostanol can delay the need for lung transplantation. At any given time, experienced chronic lung disease staff treats about 30 patients successfully with this alternative therapy while they wait for transplantation.

Living Donor Lobar Lung Transplantation

The addition of Cynthia Herrington, MD, to the medical staff has enabled the department to enhance its pediatric cardiothoracic transplant program. Dr. Herrington, surgical director of lung transplantation, trained with a world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeon who developed the living donor lobar lung transplant procedure. During this procedure, available here since 1986, surgeons transplant a lobe of lung from two donors into a recipient, usually a young child. The ability to use more living donors ultimately will increase the number of transplants and ease the shortage of organs. However, the waiting list continues to grow because as success rates climb, more patients qualify for transplantation.

Heart-lung transplantation

University of Minnesota physicians performed the first heart-lung transplant in 1986. Since then, they have done more than 50 combined transplants. Survival rates are approximately 25 percent higher than national averages.

Working with Referring Physicians

University of Minnesota Physicians works actively with referring physicians and other health care providers before and after transplant. Learn more about the Manual of Lung Transplant Medical Care by Marshall Hertz, MD (published by Fairview Press).