Lung Transplantation
For some individuals with CF, lung transplantation is an option in managing end-stage lung disease. In Australia, lung transplant programs for those with CF are located in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. The Paediatric Lung Transplant Program at the Alfred Hospital is the only paediatric service in Australia.
In 2016, 51 patients with CF were assessed for organ transplant and twenty-nine bilateral lung transplants were reported by CF centres (Ruseckaite, Ahern, Ranger, Dean, Gardam, Bell & Burke, 2017). Australian recipients of lung transplants have a longer survival rate than the global average.
Reason for Bilateral Lung Transplant 1992-2018
(Keogh, Williams and Pettersson, 2018)
Transplant Guidelines
Guidelines for consideration for transplant in CF include:
- FEV1 falling to 30% predicted or rapidly falling, particularly in females
- 6-minute walk test (MWT) <400m
- Development of pulmonary hypertension
- Clinical decline presented by:
- Long term non-invasive ventilation (NIV) use
- Increase antibiotic resistance
- Pneumothorax
- Haemoptysis
Referrals
The Advanced Lung Disease Unit (ADLU) manages the WA Lung Transplant program and can be contacted via email: FSH.AdvacedLungDiseaseOutpatientClinic@health.wa.gov.au
Urgent advice is available from the Duty ALDU Registrar/Consultant via Helpdesk
Ph: 08 6152 2222
ALDU direct referral to clinic
Ph: 08 6152 4029
Health Professional Resources:
Patient Resources: