EC Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine

Lung transplantation remains a critical but constrained treatment option for individuals suffering from end-stage respiratory illnesses, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. In the United States, while thousands of patients are added to the transplant list annually, the number of lungs suitable for transplantation is severely limited. Many of the donated lungs are ultimately discarded before use, often due to concerns over organ quality or logistical limitations [1]. This issue is further compounded by the narrow criteria used to define “ideal” donor lungs, criteria met by only 10 - 20% of potential donors. These include characteristics such as non-smoking history, normal chest imaging, and adequate oxygenation levels [2,3]. Consequently, a significant proportion of potentially transplantable lungs are excluded from consideration early on, despite evidence suggesting many could function well if reassessed using modern technologies.

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