About the Lung Transplant Program
Lung transplantation is a surgical option for
select patients with advanced, nonmalignant lung
disease. Transplantation is considered when all
other treatment options have been exhausted. Depending
on the type of lung disease, one or both lungs
may be transplanted.
The first successful lung transplant was performed
in 1983. Dr.
Larry Kaiser was one of the participating
surgeons and brought this expertise to the
University of Pennsylvania. In July 1991 he
established the area's first lung transplant
program at the Penn Transplant Institute.
As of
July 2004, we have performed over 400 procedures.
The program is the most experienced in the
Delaware Valley and one of the most active
centers in the country, performing 25 to 35
procedures each year. Under the joint leadership
of Alberto
Pochettino, MD and Robert
Kotloff, MD, current survival rates for
the program at Penn consistently equal or
exceed national averages.
In addition to transplantation, we offer a variety
of other treatments for lung disease, including:
- Novel Therapeutic Approaches for pulmonary
hypertension
Vasodilator therapy is a drug therapy used to
treat primary pulmonary hypertension. Vasodilators
dilate the blood vessels in the lungs and reduce
the hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension can
occur on its own (primary pulmonary hypertension),
or it can accompany a variety of lung and cardiovascular
diseases.
Pulmonary hypertension is a condition in which
the blood pressure in the blood vessels of the
lungs is increased. Pulmonary hypertension can
occur on its own (primary hypertension) or it
can accompany a variety of lung and heart diseases.
Vasodilators dilate the blood vessels in the
lungs and reduce the hypertension. Some vasodilators
dilate the blood vessels in the lungs and reduce
the hypertension. Some vasodilator medications
may be administered by mouth. Patients with
severe exercise limitations who don't respond
well to oral vasodilators are candidates for
treatment with continuous intravenous prostacyclin.
This medication has been shown to improve circulation
in the lung's blood vessels, as well as patients'
exercise tolerance, and survival rates. Prostacyclin
is administered continuously through a catheter
placed in the vein. Patients who undergo prostacyclin
therapy must be hospitalized at the initiation
of treatment for monitoring and education.
- Transtracheal oxygen
Transtracheal oxygen catheters (TTOC) are an
important advance in long-term oxygen therapy.
Any patient who needs oxygen on a long-term
basis is a potential candidate for TTOC placement.
This oxygen delivery system is an alternative
to nasal cannula oxygen therapy (oxygen delivered
through the nose). While the patient is under
local anesthesia, the doctor places a TTO catheter
into the trachea, then secures the catheter
in place with a necklace. When connected to
a portable oxygen tank or other oxygen source,
the catheter delivers oxygen directly into the
trachea.
Patients benefit from transtracheal oxygen
delivery in a number of ways. They need less
oxygen, can exercise better, and don't have
to work as hard to breathe. TTOCs are also less
obvious in appearance and don't interfere with
eating or drinking.
TTOC require a significant amount of care on
the part of the patient. The TTOC program at
the Penn Lung Center provides education and
close follow-up for patients undergoing the
procedure.
- Noninvasive mechanical ventilatory support
Ventilatory (breathing) support delivered without
a tube into the tracheal airway is called noninvasive
ventilation. Over the past decade, noninvasive
ventilation, delivered by a nasal or face mask,
has gained increasingly widespread acceptance
for the support of people with chronic respiratory
failure. Many types of masks are available,
including face masks that cover the nose and
mouth, nasal masks, "nasal pillows"
that fit into the nostrils, and cushion devices
that fit across the nostrils.
Patients most likely to benefit from noninvasive
ventilation are those with acute or chronic
respiratory failure, but without other major
medical complications. Noninvasive ventilation
is used mainly during the night.
Many patients can avoid the trauma and potential
complications of a breathing tube (intubation)
and mechanical ventilation by using noninvasive
ventilation. Noninvasive ventilation can help
relieve dyspnea (labored breathing), improve
sleep, and enhance the quality of life in selected
patients.
Penn Lung Transplant Program physicians and transplant
coordinators bring vast experience to their patients
and are nationally recognized experts in clinical
care. Our specialists are also internationally
recognized for research in their fields of pulmonology,
immunology and transplantation.
A multidisciplinary team of specialists provides
comprehensive, coordinated care to each patient
from the evaluation visit through the transplant
procedure and postoperative care. Our goal is
to provide the highest quality care and to restore
each patient to a full and productive life. We
work with the patient, family and primary care
physician to develop the best treatment and follow-up
care plan to meet the patient's needs.
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