The successful transplant depends on your readiness to undergo the procedure, so we want you to be in the best possible shape when undergoing transplantation.

All patients are required to complete pulmonary rehabilitation, which for most patients takes place at the Duke Center for Living in the weeks prior to listing. We work closely with the Center for Living staff to determine your readiness, as well as with the physicians who may see you in clinic while you are undergoing pulmonary rehab.

In addition, if you are accepted as a candidate for lung transplant at Duke, you will be asked to sign written documents verifying your agreement and commitment to the process.

Preparing for Relocation

Your transplant coordinator works with you to determine when you should relocate to the Durham area if you do not live locally. He or she advises you about the activities related to your health care and studies that may need to be updated.

Please read the Relocation Planning Guide (PDF, 16KB), a resource for planning your relocation to Durham. The transplant social worker has prepared this information for patients based on common needs.

Listing for Lung Transplantation

If our team determines that you are a good candidate for lung transplantation at Duke, you will be added to the national transplant wait list.

Patients are prioritized for transplant by the national transplant wait list administered by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Each candidate for lung transplantation has a value, the lung allocation score (LAS), which is calculated based on his or her physical and laboratory data.

When a donor is identified, UNOS will create a list of waiting patients who will be offered the organ. Offers are made to patients in order of highest to lowest scores.

Waiting for a Lung Transplant

We have no way of knowing how long you will be listed for transplantation. Currently, Duke offers patients one of the shortest waiting times in the United States.

You may choose to be listed at more than one transplant center (multiple listing) and should speak with your transplant coordinator if you would like to learn more about multiple listing.

You should try to maintain the best health possible while waiting. You will be seen in the clinic approximately every four weeks or if you are having an acute problem while waiting for transplant. Please inform us of any changes in your health status -- including new diagnoses and/or hospitalizations -- while you are listed.