The USC Lung Transplant Program Faculty and Staff, headed by Vaughn A. Starnes, M.D., is composed of experts in their respective fields of cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, pulmonary medicine, immunology, critical care medicine, cystic fibrosis, immunosuppression, and rehabilitation. Dr. Starnes is a world-recognized leader and innovator in heart, heart-lung, and lung transplantation, and cardiothoracic surgery. The transplant program is available around the clock--365 days a year.

Cadaveric Transplantation has become a viable treatment option for patients with end stage cardiopulmonary disease. Patients eligible for pulmonary transplantation include any person who is severely debilitated by their cardiopulmonary disease and is not hampered by any other organ system dysfunction. Candidates frequently have the diagnosis of obstructive lung disease (e.g. emphysema. cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis), pulmonary hypertension (both primary and secondary or pulmonary fibrosis (e.g. sarcoidosis, IPF, silicosis). This same team performs all cardiothoracic transplants for pediatric patients at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.

Living Lobar Lung Transplantation was pioneered by Dr. Starnes at USC University Hospital and provides an alternative therapy for severely ill patients who are unlikely to survive the waiting that is often required for cadaveric organs to be available. Dr. Starnes was the first in the world to perform a double-lobar living related transplant on a patient with cystic fibrosis. Strict criteria must be met before a patient can qualify for these living related procedures.

Our comprehensive program includes constant transplant team communication with patient/family regarding all htmlects of patient's medical care. Patients and families are also given general educational materials about what is expected post transplantation.