Disease or damage to the lungs can make it difficult for your body to obtain the oxygen it needs to function. A variety of conditions can cause a decline in lung function, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs), and cystic fibrosis. If a patient’s condition does not improve with medication or special breathing devices, a transplant will usually be recommended.
A lung transplant is a surgical procedure in which a diseased or failing lung is replaced with a healthy lung, usually from a deceased donor. Either one or both lungs may be replaced in the transplant. Heart-lung transplants are also possible, and Methodist is home to the largest heart-lung transplant center in the nation.
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