Timing for lung transplant referral

Posted on by Jennings
Updated on May 13, 2026

From A consensus document for the selection of lung transplant candidates: 2014—An update from the Pulmonary Transplantation Council of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation.

The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 34(1), 1–15.

COPD


Bronchiectasis

  • postbronchodilator FEV1<30%,
  • postbronchodilator FEV1 >40% AND additional complications such as
    o hypoxemia
    o pulmonary hypertension
    o 6MWT <400m o pCO2>50mm Hg
    o >2 exacerbations/year requiring IV antibiotics
    o massive hemoptysis
    o pneumothorax
    o malnutrition
  • FEV1<50% and rapidly declining trajectory
  • Severe exacerbation requiring positive pressure ventilation