Respiratory and sleep medicine
Lung transplantation
Who to refer (ISHLT 2021), the main contraindications, immunosuppression and its drug interactions, and the post-transplant problems a general physician meets (infection, rejection, CLAD, skin cancer and renal impairment).
Tier 2Condition
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- Lung transplant is for end-stage lung disease when survival and quality of life are expected to be better with a transplant than without. Median survival after transplant is about 6 to 7 years, shorter than for other solid organs.
- Commonest indications: ILD (mainly IPF) and COPD, then cystic fibrosis (falling since CFTR modulators), pulmonary arterial hypertension and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
- Australian adult lung transplant units sit in a few state centres. Referral is by a respiratory physician, and organs come through DonateLife.
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Sources
- Leard LE et al. Consensus document for the selection of lung transplant candidates: an update from the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. J Heart Lung Transplant 2021;40:1349-79International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, 2021
- Verleden GM et al. Chronic lung allograft dysfunction: definition, diagnostic criteria, and approaches to treatment. A consensus report from the Pulmonary Council of the ISHLT. J Heart Lung Transplant 2019;38:493-503International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, 2019
- Australian Immunisation Handbook: vaccination for people who are immunocompromised (solid organ transplant)AU/NZAustralian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), online edition, accessed November 2026
- Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand: clinical guidelines for organ transplantation from deceased donorsAU/NZTransplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ), current online version, accessed November 2026
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
What changed
- 14 November 2026 Personal emails, About story and Australian-style copy