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.

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.

Lung Fast Facts

Program Start: 1988
More than 1,000 lung transplants performed
One of the largest and most renowned lung transplant program in the United States
One of the first lung transplant programs in the country
Survival rates meet or exceed national averages
First in Missouri to perform a simultaneous heart and lung transplant


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


	Overview of lung transplant services at Barnes-Jewish Hospital

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.

Murali Chakinala, MD
	Board Certified Specialties: Pulmonology, Critical Care, Transplantation-Medical Dr. Chakinala specializes in lung disease.


Ramsey Hachem, MD
	Board Certified Specialties: Pulmonology, Critical Care, Transplantation-Medical Dr. Hachem specializes in treating diseases of the lungs.


Daniel Kreisel, MD
	Board Certified Specialties: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Transplant Surgery Dr. Kreisel specializes in thoracic surgery, lung transplant, lung cancer, benign esophageal disease and emphysema.


Sasha Krupnick, MD
	Board Certified Specialties: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Transplant Surgery, General Surgery Dr. Krupnick focuses practice on thoracic surgery, lung cancer surgery, minimally invasive lung surgery, lung transplantation and immunotherapy.


Bryan Meyers, MD
	Board Certified Specialties: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Transplant Surgery, General Surgery Dr. Meyers focuses on thoracic surgery. Recognized as a "Best Doctor in America" in the 2010 issue of St. Louis Magazine.


Alexander Patterson, MD
	Board Certified Specialties: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Transplantation-Surgical Dr. Patterson sees thoracic surgery patients only; he does not see cardiac surgery patients. Dr. Patterson specializes in thoracic surgery, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, Barrett's esophagus, tracheal tumors, disease of the airway, adult lung transplantation, lung volume reduction, lung surgery, thoracic disease, heart-lung transplant, pulmonary hypertension, emphysema, thoracic malignancies, and myasthenia gravis. Recognized as a "Best Doctor in America" in the 2010 issue of St. Louis Magazine.


Elbert Trulock, MD
	Board Certified Specialties: Pulmonology, Transplantation-Medical Dr. Trulock specializes in pulmonary disease, lung transplantation, pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. Recognized as a "Best Doctor in America" in the 2010 issue of St. Louis Magazine.


Roger Yusen, MD
	Board Certified Specialties: Pulmonology, Critical Care Dr. Yusen specializes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema, lung transplantation, and venous thromboembolism.