Lung Transplant Program

People with serious lung diseases who meet certain criteria of lung function are most appropriately treated with a lung transplant. The traditional age limit for lung transplantation is 65 years. At Mayo Clinic, however, we will evaluate individuals older than 65 who do not have significant disease processes besides their lung diseases.

People who need a lung transplant may have any of several serious lung diseases, including:

• Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other lung conditions
• Cystic fibrosis
• Interstitial lung disease
• Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Sarcoidosis
• Severe bronchiectasis

Besides lung transplant, Mayo Clinic specialists offer other treatment options for lung conditions and individualize the treatment to each person's needs.

Your transplant team will evaluate you to determine whether a lung transplant may be safe and beneficial for you. Your comprehensive evaluation will include lung function tests, blood tests, imaging scans and other tests. Doctors will check you for other serious conditions, including chronic infections, cancer, and heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease.

Most people who undergo formal evaluation at Mayo Clinic, which may take several days, are eligible for transplant. Your doctors and transplant team will work with you to promote wellness, lower your risks and improve your outcome after transplant. A care team member will talk with you about the importance of taking your anti-rejection (immunosuppressant) medications to keep your body from rejecting your lung.