Part of a pulmonary disease program ranked among the best in the country by U.S.News & World Report, Barnes-Jewish Hospital's lung transplant program in St. Louis offers a depth of clinical and research experience and an array of leading-edge resources.

Leader in lung transplantation

In 1988, Barnes-Jewish Hospital became one of the first hospitals in the United States with a program fully dedicated to lung transplantation. Our lung transplant program is one of the world's largest with more than 1,000 adult transplants performed. The hospital also was the first in Missouri to perform a simultaneous heart and lung transplant.

Today, Barnes-Jewish and Washington University thoracic surgeons perform 55-60 lung transplants each year, garnering worldwide recognition. In addition to transplants from deceased donors, our physicians also perform living related lobar transplants in which a parent or sibling provides lung tissue for a child. Barnes-Jewish Hospital Lung Center physicians care for the adults in these procedures.

The innovative lung-volume reduction surgical technique, which is designed to help patients with emphysema breathe more easily, was pioneered at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. More than 250 patients have undergone this procedure since the program was started in 1993.

X-ray images of a cystic fibrosis patient. Left:Pre-transplant x-ray; Right: 21 days post-transplant. Note the cloudiness in the left image, which is not present after transplant surgery (right image).

Exceptional Success Rates

Despite taking on some of the most challenging cases the lung transplant program has achieved very strong survival rates. The substantially higher survival rates for all single and bilateral lung transplant recipients distinguish Barnes-Jewish Hospital from other institutions.

Comprehensive Lung Care

Upon entering the program, each patient is assigned a lung transplant nurse coordinator to facilitate communication before and after transplant. A full spectrum of pulmonary care is available every day of the week.Our pulmonary specialists skillfully care for patients waiting for transplantation with an unequaled commitment and passion. Because of our integrated team approach and medical and surgical expertise, our lung specialists are often able to develop strategies for patients that postpone their need for a transplant – sometimes forever.

As patients prepare for transplant, our transplant team guides them through each step, answering questions and linking them to other resources as needed.

Another unique feature of Barnes-Jewish Hospital's transplant program is that we follow our patients for the life of their transplant for continuity of care. Our patients also benefit from the support groups and the mentor program we offer.

Advanced Treatments

Washington University lung transplant specialists at Barnes-Jewish Hospital are recognized as pioneers in the development of many surgical and medical innovations for treating patients with advanced lung disease, including:

• Single-lung transplantation for emphysema and pulmonary hypertension
• Bilateral sequential approach to double-lung transplantation for emphysema and cystic fibrosis
• The use of nitric oxide to manage reperfusion lung injury (injury that may occur when restoring blood flow to the lung) after transplantation
• Lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema, which may be used as a "bridge" to transplantation or eliminate the need for transplantation

Shaping the Future Through Research

Patients at Barnes-Jewish Hospital benefit from active basic and clinical research laboratories investigating a variety of aspects of end-stage lung disease and lung transplantation. Particular areas of interest for our transplant physicians include the ongoing development and refinement of immunosuppressive therapy to prevent rejection and reperfusion lung injury.

Helping Patients Regain Their Health

Specialists on the lung transplant team work together to help patients get their lives back. With pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, as well as dedicated nurse coordinators, a social worker, dietitian, financial specialist and a host of other experts, we offer one of the largest lung transplant teams in the country. As patients prepare for transplant, we guide them through each step, answering questions and linking them to other resources as needed.

For more information on the lung transplant program at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, call 314-TOP-DOCS (314-867-3627) or toll-free 866-867-3627.