There is an old saying: We have good news and bad news. On the good news side, researchers have recently proven that “In the past five years, the number of lung transplantations carried out has increased by about 20%.” The bad news is that the number of donors is lagging, and one out of six end-stage lung disease patients die while they are on the waiting list.

The Florida Lung Doctors applaud the recent studies done by researcher Dr. Marc Hartert and his team at the “Department of Cardio-thoracic and Vascular Surgery at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz,” in conjunction with the “Department of Hematology, Pneumology and Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.”

The transplant surgery is considered the last resort for a patient with end-stage lung disease. The scientists made an extended follow-up study of lung transplant patients, their quality of life, and the progress being made by medicine, in extending their lives. For the complete report on their statistics as well as details concerning the surgery itself, you can visit this reliable source.

Outstanding Findings

Several revealing trends and statistical facts were discovered by the researchers.

1. Among the impressive statistics they calculated is that “deaths in the 90 days after an operation for lung transplantation have gone down over the past 25 years from 19.4% to 10%.”

2. Although it is true that lung transplants saved many lives and granted quality time to many others, it is also true that many patients live with chronic complications.

3. The team deduced that about 3% of the patients “endure acute transplant rejection reaction, while almost 30% experience symptoms of chronic rejection.”

4. Many of the patients frequently face airway complications, transplant failure, and other serious medical conditions that are not located in the lungs but are the direct result of the transplantation.

5. Other evaluations produced interesting results, some of which we quote below. Remember, these might look like cold numbers, but they represent living human beings who struggle only to breathe. If you or some one you love is facing end-stage lung disease, here are the facts behind what happens after lung transplant surgery:

Acute transplant rejection: 3.4%

Chronic transplant rejection: 29.0%

Infections: 38.0% transplant failure: 24.7%,

Airway complications 15.0%,

Malignant tumors 15.0%,

Cardiovascular events 10.9%,

Secondary extra-pulmonary diseases (29.8%).

Two Major Conclusions:

In the study, Dr. Hartert and his team concluded that patients with the bilateral transplant lived longer than patients with only one lung transplanted.
The numbers were 57.3% versus 47.4%, but when you are talking about years of life, every fraction of a percentage counts.
Again we recommend their study as an up-to-date resource with information about all phases and facets of lung transplantation.

The Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Center specialists were particularly impressed with the final conclusion of the researchers: They stated, “To continue to improve long-term results after lung transplantation, better collaboration is needed between the transplantation centers and the local doctors and hospitals attended by patients for their ongoing aftercare.”

Whatever stage of lung disease you or your loved one might have, rest assured, the Florida Lung Doctors and their staff are here for you with expertise and experience in collaboration with your primary care doctor or medical team.  Please notice our new address, below:

Our Celebration Office Has Moved

Beginning March 3, 2014 Our Celebration office has been newly located at:

2940 Mallory Circle, Suite 204

Celebration, FL 34747

Once again, we thank you for reading this week’s blog, and hope you will return to discover the latest in respiratory news and research.