Lung Transplant Program

Manitoba has a lung transplant program that cares for patients who are eligible for transplant. Lung transplantation is a treatment option for a variety of end-stage lung diseases.

These can include:

Chronic obstructive lung diseases (COPD)

• Emphysema
• Alpha 1 antitrypsysin deficiency
• Bronchiolitis

Interstitial Lung diseases

• Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
• Sarcoidosis
• Scleroderema

Airway diseases

• Cystic fibrosis
• Bronchiectasis
• Pulmonary hypertension

Lung Transplant Process

Consultation
Patients are referred to one of our two respirologists in the transplant program to evaluate the suitability to proceed to the assessment phase. Physician to physician consults can be faxed to 204-787-2420.

Transplant Assessment
Transplant Assessment is a lengthy process where patients undergo a variety of medical tests and consultations to determine the suitability for lung transplant. The assessment takes approximately one week and patients are usually admitted to hospital until the assessment is complete.

Waiting List
The lung transplant team meets regularly to discuss all information related to lung transplant patients. After all the necessary information is gathered during the assessment phase the team determines if the patient is a candidate to go on the waiting list.

History of Lung Transplantation

In 1963 the first lung transplant was performed. The initial transplant results were poor due to healing difficulties and rejection. In 1983, Toronto performed the world’s first successful single lung transplant. The world’s first successful double lung transplant was also performed in Toronto in 1986. Manitoba’s lung transplant program opened in 1994 and since that time, 108 single and double lung transplants have been performed. The program was the first in Canada to perform a living donor lung transplant.Currently, we perform seven transplants per year on average.