Since 1983 when the first successful human lung transplant was performed in Toronto, Canada, the procedure has evolved into a highly successful therapy for patients with end-stage lung disease.
In 1988, the Lung Transplant Program was launched at UCLA, rounding out its solid organ transplant programs by expanding and fine-tuning already existing expertise.
Dr. Paul F. Waters, a recognized expert in this field, has directed the program since July 1992 and was the first physician in the western United States to perform procedure.
The program is now prepared to offer single and double lung transplantation and heart/lung transplantation for appropriate patients with end-stage lung disease.
The current indications for single lung transplant include:
pulmonary fibrosis
emphysema
chronic obstructive lung disease
primary pulmonary hypertension
Eisenmenger's complex
Indications for double lung transplant include:
septic lung conditions
bronchiectasis
cystic fibrosis
Indications for heart/lung transplant include:
irreversible end-stage heart and lung disease.
Expected one year survival is comparable to heart and liver transplantation.
Clinical research interrelated with the Lung Transplant Program includes evaluation of the latest in immunosuppressive techniques, while basic science laboratory research is currently investigating agents to modify and moderate organ rejection.
Paul F. Waters, M.D. - Program Director; Chief of General Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Waters came recently to UCLA from a successful lung transplant program he developed at Cedars-Sinai. (310) 206-3505
Hillel Laks, M.D. - Professor and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Director of the Heart and Heart-Lung Transplant Program (310) 206-8232
Michael S. Levine, M.D.; Robert B. Shpiner, M.D. - pulmonologists (310) 794-1300
Michele A. Hamilton, M.D. - cardiologist (310) 794-1200
Julie Chait, R.N., B.S.N.
Rocky Minkley R.N., B.S.N.
Shelley Ruzevich, R.N.
Johanna Salamandra, R.N.
Caron Utley, R.N.
Clinical Transplant Coordinators (310) 825-6068
Patients with end-stage lung diseases will be considered as candidates for lung transplantation if they meet other criteria for successful transplantation:
Aged < 65 years
No serious failure of another organ
No psychosis
No high-dose steroid dependence
Physicians may refer patients by contacting the office of Dr. Waters at (310) 206-3505, Mondays through Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After hours and on weekends, please contact the UCLA Page Operator at (310) 825-6301 and ask for the lung transplant coordinator or resident on call.
If you have any referral problems, or want information about other UCLA programs is available through the UCLA Physician Helpline programs, please call:
The UCLA Physician Helpline 1-800-UCLA 888 (1-800-825-2888)
Through this number, you can also reach the following person involved with the Lung Transplant Program:
Paul F. Waters, M.D.
Director, Lung Transplant Program
Director, General Thoracic Surgery
Following patient evaluation, the course of treatment is determined in coordination with the referring physician and the patient. Critically ill patients in need of urgent transplantation will be evaluated and, if indicated, transferred to UCLA Medical Center.
The UCLA Heart Transplant Program is the largest in the country, performing over 440 transplants since the program's inception in February, 1984.
The one-year patient survival rate is 87 percent; the five-year survival rate is 71 percent. Pediatric patient (age 1 to 18) one-year survival rate is 87 percent.
Hillel Laks, M.D.
- Professor and Chief of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Division, heads the UCLA Heart and Heart-Lung Transplant programs. Dr. Laks conducts research on heart preservation, cardiac assist devices, and cardiac transplantation, and has been Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at UCLA School of Medicine since 1982.
Davis C. Drinkwater, Jr., M.D.
- Associate Professor of Surgery, has performed heart transplants at UCLA since joining the team in 1984.
Michele A. Hamilton, M. D., and Jaime Moriguchi, M.D
- direct the Clinical Heart Failure Program of the Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center. Leading clinical research is conducted on the benefits of medical treatment and transplantation for heart failure.
Jon Kobashigawa, M.D.
- Director of the Clinical Transplant Program, leads a multidisciplinary team in providing state-of-the-art care for transplant patients following surgery.
Other cardiologists on the team include the following: Nobuyuki Kawata, M.D., Greg Fonarow, M.D. and Antoine Hage, M.D.
CLINICAL TRANSPLANT COORDINATORS:
( Same as Lung Transplant above)
The transplant team also includes many other specialists including psychiatrists, clinical social workers and clinical nurse specialists. The Cardiothoracic Laboratory is conducting research on heterotrophic cardiac transplantation, heart-lung transplantation, and long-term preservation of the heart.
With the increased success of lung and heart-lung transplantation since the advent of cyclosporine, these procedures have become recognized therapeutic options for severe cardiopulmonary disease. UCLA initiated its Heart-Lung Transplant Program and Lung Transplant Program in 1988.
These programs share the same experienced, cohesive professional staff which has produced such excellent results in our Heart Transplant Program
Indications for cardiac transplantation:
Functional Class III or poor one-year prognosis for survival
Under 65 years of age (exceptions may be considered on an individual basis)
Healthy other than end-stage heart disease
Medically compliant and capable of following complex medical post-transplantation regimen
Emotionally stable with a realistic attitude toward past and current illness
Systemic disease
Active infection
Pneumonia; recent or unresolved pulmonary infarction; any infiltrate on chest x-ray (relative contraindication)
Severe pulmonary hypertension with a fixed pulmonary vascular resistance of over 6 to 8 Wood units
Moderate to severe renal or hepatic dysfunction
Significant central nervous system disorder
Obesity
Alcohol or drug abuse; mental illness
High risk of non-compliance with medical regimen
Absence of social support system
To refer adult patients, please contact the Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center at (310) 825-8816.
For pediatric referrals, please call (310) 825-5296. Arrangements will be made for you to confer with the transplant physicians and schedule your patient for an evaluation .
If you have any referral problems, or want information about other programs, please call :
The UCLA Physician Helpline 1-800-UCLA 888 (1-800-825-2888)
MAIL ?
TRANSPLANT INDEX