Lung & Heart-Lung Transplant Program
Lung & Heart-Lung Transplant Program
The Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant Program is part of a multi-organ transplant center at Nationwide Children's Hospital. The program received its initial United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) accreditation in 2005.
Welcome to Nationwide Children's Lung & Heart-Lung Transplant Program
Our transplant program utilizes a multidisciplinary team of lung transplant and heart-lung transplant experts in the transplantation of children and adults with childhood diseases. Our patients are able to see all of their physicians and health care team members in one visit and at one location. Our team of experts provides comprehensive support for our patients and their families, while maintaining a collaborative relationship with the referring physician.
The Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant Program is part of an advanced lung disease center consisting of programs for cystic fibrosis, pulmonary vascular disease, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, and neonatal lung disease. Our transplant team also works in conjunction with our renowned Heart Center, offering combined heart-lung transplantation to patients with advanced cardiopulmonary disease.
Meet Our Transplant Teams
Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant Team
Learn more about the team of experts on our Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant team.
Ambulatory ECMO
ECMO (Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation) is a treatment that brings oxygen into the body when the heart and/or lungs are failing and serves as an artificial lung. Used as a “bridge to transplant,” ECMO supports patients prior to lung or heart/lung transplant surgery and can be used for days or weeks at a time while the patient waits for transplant.
On standard ECMO, a patient may be sedated and bedridden. That can cause the muscles to become weak and a patient may continue to deteriorate due to their condition. However, ambulatory ECMO allows patients to move or “ambulate” while on ECMO. While waiting for transplant surgery, patients can become stronger through rehabilitation: sitting up, moving the legs, walking, and in some cases, eating. This improves a patient’s overall strength while they are being evaluated for transplantation.
Nationwide Children's offers a pediatric Ambulatory ECMO program to patients with advanced lung disease including acute respiratory decompensation and has the capability of transporting patients on ECMO if needed.