What is the viability of using lung transplantation to battle ARDS?
The ARDS Support Center received inquiry concerning whether lung transplantation might be considered in battling severe ARDS. This inquiry has come up from time to time. We forwarded the inquiry to some of our medical advisors for their comments and advice. From: Mark D. Siegel, M.D. Unfortunately, lung transplantation has not been considered a viable option for patients with ARDS because the patients are critically ill at the time. In general, lung transplants are given to patients who are otherwise clinically stable. I get this question from time to time and I understand the frustration of the patient’s family. From: Roy Brower, M.D. The idea of transplanting lungs for ARDS has been considered but is not currently a reasonable option. There are a few reasons for this. The first is that many, perhaps most patients with ARDS who do poorly have infections in the bloodstream, lungs, other organs, etc. When a patient receives a lung transplant, it’s necessary to give medications that supp
