The evaluation process

Because of a shortage of viable organs, there are criteria you must meet to qualify for a lung transplant. Transplant is a major surgery that involves scarce resources, and a medical evaluation is important in determining whether you are ready for surgery. It is also crucial to your having the best possible outcome from a transplant. To qualify for a lung transplant, your lung function and overall health must be poor enough to justify the operation, but not too poor to survive and thrive after surgery. This optimal period for a transplant is often referred to in the medical community as “the window,” and your pulmonary transplant team will help you determine when you are in this window of opportunity. Physical, mental, and oftentimes emotional support is necessary from your caregivers to help you maintain your well being during this period.

The transplant team will order several tests during your evaluation. They may include:

• Tissue and blood typing
• Heart catheterization
• Colonoscopy
• Esophageal manometry
• 24-hour pH study
• Psychiatric evaluation
• Gynecological check-up

These tests not only ensure that you will have the best chance of surviving, but they also give the transplant team an idea of how well you would cope both physically and mentally if given a transplant.