Bloodless Lung Transplant
The University of Chicago Medicine is one of only a few centers in the country to offer a Bloodless Lung Transplant Program for patients who cannot receive blood transfusions or choose not to because of personal or religious beliefs.
By using special techniques tested through extensive research, our multidisciplinary lung transplant team can offer life-saving lung transplants to people who may have been turned away by other hospitals.
Understanding Bloodless Lung Transplants
What is bloodless lung transplant surgery?
A bloodless (transfusion-free) lung transplant does not use any donated blood, plasma, platelets or blood cells. Instead, the surgical team uses advanced methods to avoid the need for blood transfusions from donors.
At UChicago Medicine, many complex surgeries like kidney transplants and heart surgery can be performed as bloodless surgeries. We offer these surgeries to patients who do not want to receive blood or blood products because of religious beliefs, including people who are Jehovah’s Witnesses.
What are the benefits of bloodless lung transplant?
Bloodless lung transplants offer many advantages besides providing an option for people who prefer not to have transfusions for religious beliefs. These benefits include:
- Lower risk of infections and allergic reactions from blood transfusions
- Lower risk of primary graft dysfunction (PGD), a severe lung injury after transplant that may require the use of a ventilator (breathing machine)
- Lower risk of acute kidney injury (AKI), a serious condition that may require dialysis
- Improved survival after transplant
Because of these benefits, we strive to make bloodless lung transplants available for every patient. In some cases, we may not be able to offer bloodless surgery if a person has had previous chest surgery or has complex chest anatomy. When you come to UChicago Medicine, we will carefully evaluate your case and discuss your options with you.
Lung Transplants without Blood Transfusions at UChicago Medicine
University of Chicago Medicine’s Bloodless Lung Transplant Program makes transfusion-free lung transplants available for people who prefer not to receive donated blood or blood products because of personal or religious beliefs. We have a long history of performing these blood lung transplants with excellent outcomes.
What techniques do you use at UChicago Medicine to avoid blood transfusions during lung transplant?
Our lung transplant team is one of the world’s most experienced in performing bloodless lung transplants. Some of the methods we use to reduce the need for blood transfusions during lung transplant include:
Pre-transplant medicine and nutrition: A healthy diet before a transplant can reduce the risk for anemia (lack of red blood cells) during and after surgery. Increasing your iron and folic acid intake helps your body produce more red blood cells. Certain medications can also help your body produce red blood cells before surgery.
Hemoglobin monitoring: Checking your levels of hemoglobin (which carries oxygen in your red blood cells) before surgery helps ensure you have adequate levels to prevent anemia and to reduce the need for transfusion.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) plus low-dose heparin: This type of modified heart-lung bypass machine adds oxygen to your blood during lung transplant surgery. To reduce the risk of blood clotting during ECMO, most patients receive heparin, which can cause bleeding that requires transfusions. Our team has pioneered the use of a low dose of heparin that prevents blood clots as well as bleeding, reducing the need for blood transfusions during surgery.
Cell saver machine: Our team uses these machines during surgery to collect and recycle your red blood cells back into your body.
Hemostatic agents and devices: Our surgeons use special instruments and topical medications to reduce blood loss during lung transplant.
Hemodilution: During this process, your own concentrated blood is removed from your body and replaced with fluid, so you lose less actual blood during transplant. After transplant, your concentrated blood is returned to your body.
Limited blood tests: Avoiding unnecessary blood tests after transplant helps reduce blood loss and the need for transfusion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bloodless Lung Transplant
For more than two decades, research has shown that bloodless lung transplant is safe and effective. Some of this research has been led by our expert lung transplant specialists at UChicago Medicine.
Even if you have been told you are not eligible for a bloodless lung transplant at other hospitals, we encourage you to contact us for an evaluation. While not everyone may be a candidate for bloodless lung transplant, we have refined our techniques to make this surgery available to more people than ever before.
Yes, surgeons at UChicago Medicine have helped many Jehovah’s Witnesses get the life-saving lung transplants they need without blood transfusions. Our team can work with you to develop a transplant plan that respects your personal preferences and religious beliefs.
A bloodless lung transplant is somewhat different from a traditional transplant. Before a bloodless transplant, our surgical team will carefully wash the donor lung to remove any traces of blood from the donor. Then, we will use sophisticated bloodless medicine approaches to perform the actual transplant. Such methods involve using a cell saver machine to recycle red blood cells back into the body as well as special medicines and instruments to reduce blood loss during surgery.
During a blood transfusion, donated blood is transferred to the body to replace lost blood during surgery. During bloodless surgery, our doctors use innovative surgical techniques so they can perform even complex procedures like lung transplants without the need for a blood transfusion.
No. In fact, our surgeons routinely perform lung transplants without blood transfusions. Our specialized team has developed innovative procedures that minimize blood loss during surgery, so people who prefer not to receive blood transfusions can get the care they need.
As with any complex surgery, there are some risks associated with bloodless lung transplant. One specific concern associated with bloodless lung transplant is the risk for anemia (low red blood cells). However, our team has developed advanced procedures to reduce this risk.
UChicago Medicine one of only a few centers in the country to offer bloodless lung transplant. We have the experience to design a care plan that provides the surgery you need while meeting your personal preferences. Every member of our care team is committed to understanding your treatment goals and respecting your beliefs at every stage of your transplant journey.
To request a consultation, please call 1-773-702-4500 or fill out the form below.
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