|
Lung
Transplantation
Since 1988, patients have been coming
to Loyola for lung transplantation - and they continue
to come because of Loyola's experience and outcomes.
As one of the nation's leaders in lung transplant, Loyola
is among only seven
institutions in the United States to have performed
500 or more lung transplants, according to the Organ
Procurement and Transplantation Network.
Experience and Success
Today, Loyola's lung transplant program has become the
largest and most successful in the state of Illinois.
Loyola's lung transplant specialists perform approximately
30 lung transplants a year. Loyola lung transplant patients
have a three-year survival rate of 76 percent, a rate
that is 10 percent higher than national averages (for
the period between July 2000 and December 2002).
Loyola's program is a resource
not only for the state of Illinois but for the entire
region. The program has drawn lung transplant patients
from more than 12 surrounding states.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
Loyola's lung transplant team takes a
multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Our team
is comprised of thoracic/cardiovascular surgeons, pulmonary
physicians, transplant nurse coordinators, a transplant
nurse practitioner, a transplant pharmacist, social
workers, dieticians and financial counselors, all of
whom are dedicated to the care of transplant patients
in all phases of their treatment.
Complete Care
The most common conditions that may lead to
the need for a lung transplant are chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis,
cystic fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. A common
misperception is that patients with lung cancer have
lung transplants. In fact, the presence of cancer rules out a patient for a transplant.
Insurance Approved
Loyola is the only
lung transplant program in Illinois that is Medicare-approved.
Additionally, Loyola is United Network for Organ Sharing and Blue Cross/Blue Shield approved.
The researchers
in Loyola's lung transplant team are leading basic
immunology research to find new treatment paths for
the biggest hurdle in lung transplant: chronic rejection,
a condition that can shave months and years from a transplant
patient's life expectancy.
|
