The pre-transplant screening is first performed to make sure a lung transplant is the right treatment for you.
Before your pre-transplant screening
Before your pre-transplant screening, a transplant coordinator will contact you and your physician to gather important information about your medical condition. This information includes:
- Brief medical history, including medications
- Pulmonary function studies
- Computed axial tomography (CAT) scan and/or chest X-ray, if performed in the
last year
- Insurance information
Once this information is received, a transplant coordinator will contact you for a telephone interview to further discuss your past medical history and lung disease.
During the pre-transplant screening
During the pre-transplant screening, you will have several X-rays, laboratory tests and breathing tests (called spirometry tests) to make sure you are eligible for a lung transplant.
The spirometry tests provide information about the extent of your lung disease and how well your lungs function. The tests are not painful, but may be uncomfortable.
You also will meet with a transplant pulmonologist (a staff physician with extensive training and experience in lung disease and transplantation). The pulmonologist will ask you questions about your condition.
The screening generally lasts most of the day. If the results of the screening evaluation indicate you are eligible for a lung transplant, you will be scheduled for a pre-transplant evaluation.
The day of your screening appointment
Your screening appointment day will begin with a series of breathing tests, discussion of your medical history and a physical examination. You also will meet with members of the Lung Transplant Team, including the pulmonologist, transplant coordinator, financial coordinator and social worker.
You may have to answer similar questions with each team member. Please be patient; although the questions are similar, each specialist is concerned with a specific aspect of your health and will gain a different perspective of your lung disease.