What Happens Before a Lung Transplantation?

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The patient will be evaluated to find out if he is fit for a lung transplantation with a pre-transplant evaluation.

Pre-Transplant Evaluation

The purpose of the evaluation is to decide if transplantation is the best therapy to improve your health — and whether you have any other health concern that would affect your recovery or survival.
Evaluation for lung transplantation typically occurs in the hospital over four to five days.

The schedule depends upon how well you are and if you are able to tolerate activity. Some of these are:

Blood Tests: Many blood tests will be done, including those that identify your blood type and assess kidney, liver and immune system function. We also check for viruses or other infections that could cause a problem after surgery.

Pulmonary Function Tests:

These tests measure breathing capacity. You will be asked to breathe in and out as fully as possible while a technologist measures the amount of air and the strength of your lungs.

Echocardiogram: This quick ultrasound test gives us information about the function and condition of your heart valves. Clear gel is used to help the ultrasound wand slide easily over your chest.

Heart Catheterization:

This test provides information about the arteries that supply the heart with blood and about internal heart pressures.
After numbing an area at the top of your leg, doctors insert a catheter through a large blood vessel and thread it through the vessel into your heart.
A special dye is injected through the catheter that allows the physician to see your blood vessels and measure internal heart pressures.
Medication to help you relax may be given for this procedure, if needed.
The study usually takes 45 minutes to an hour and is conducted in a specially equipped area called the catheterization (“cath”) lab.
After the study, you will need to lie flat for a while to prevent bleeding.

Ventilation-Perfusion Lung Scan:

This test gives us information about both the blood supply and the air supply to your lungs.
You will receive a small injection into an arm vein and then be asked to breathe oxygen through a mask.
A large scanner will then record data about air flow in your lungs while you lie still.
Chest CT-Scan: This radiology scan provides a three-dimensional image of the inside of your lungs and chest. You will be asked to lie very still on a table that moves you through a round, tunnel-like machine.
Arterial Blood Gas Analysis: This blood test measures how well the lungs bring oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the blood.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Assessment:
This evaluation by a rehabilitation specialist helps us determine your tolerance for physical activity and oxygen needed for activity.
We require participation in our rehabilitation physical therapy before and after your transplant to ensure physical readiness for a transplant.
This evaluation includes exercise testing and a six-minute walk test.
Colonoscopy and Upper GI Endoscopy: Done if age over 50 years to check for any evidence of colon cancer.
Mammogram or Ultrasound of the Breasts: For women, to rule out breast cancer.
Pap Smear: For women, to rule out cervical cancer.
Bone Density Test: To look for and treat bone loss due to lung disease and/or medications.

Other tests may be ordered as part of your lung transplant evaluation, depending upon individual circumstances. Any additional tests will be explained to you by Dr. Srinivas Rajagopala, Director, Transplant Pulmonology & Lung Failure Unit, Kauvery Hospital Chennai.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the purpose of a pre-transplant evaluation for a lung transplant?

The pre-transplant evaluation determines if lung transplantation is the best therapy to improve your health and identifies any other health concerns that might affect your recovery or survival.

2. How long does the evaluation for lung transplantation take?

The evaluation typically takes four to five days in the transplant hospital, depending on your overall health and ability to tolerate activity.

3. What blood tests are done before a lung transplant?

Blood tests check your blood type, kidney, liver, and immune system function, and screen for viruses or infections that could cause post-surgery problems.

4. What is a ventilation-perfusion lung scan?

This scan provides information about the blood and air supply to your lungs using a small injection and oxygen breathing through a mask, followed by scanning.

5. What is a pulmonary rehabilitation assessment?

This evaluation assesses your tolerance for physical activity and oxygen needs, including exercise testing and a six-minute walk test, to ensure physical readiness for a transplant.

6. What vaccinations are required before a lung transplant?

Vaccinations include pneumococcal, influenza, COVID-19, tetanus, meningococcal, hepatitis B, mumps, measles, and rubella.

Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.

Chennai – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801