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Lung Transplants for the Elderly
Reviewed By:
Louise Chang,
SOURCES: 2007 Medical Reference from Medstar Television. David Jones, M.D., Lung Transplant Director, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA., Mark Robbins, M.D., Critical Care Specialist, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA.
© 1999-2011 Medstar Television
Narrator:
When emphysema patient Deneen (Duh-NEEN) Allen needed a lung transplant, she worried her age would be a problem.
Deneen Allen, Transplant Patient:
I've heard of some people, some hospitals requiring 60 to be the cut off date.
Narrator:
She's right and it's a frightening thought when your life is on the line.
Deneen Allen, Transplant Patient:
I don't know what I would do. It was... I don't, I honestly don't know.
Narrator:
Now 60-somethings can breathe easier thanks to a study at the University of Virginia.
David Jones, MD, Loung Transplant Director, Univ. of Virginia Health System:
The average life expectancy now for an American woman is over 80 years of age. And so, it seemed to us, years ago actually, that 60 was somewhat arbitrary.
Narrator:
Researchers studied the outcomes of one-hundred-eighty-two lung transplant patients.
Mark Robbins, MD, Critical Care Specialist, Univ. of Virginia Health System:
What we generally found was that the patients over 60 had the same survival rate, had the same length of hospitalizations and the same rate of complications. So they weren't at higher risk.
Narrator:
They say '60' today is the new '50' for some, so a patient's 'chronological' age shouldn't be a factor.
David Jones, MD, Loung Transplant Director, Univ. of Virginia Health System:
If you're 60 but physiologically you're 50, except for your lungs obviously, then there's no reason why you shouldn't be considered for a lung transplant.
Mark Robbins, MD, Critical Care Specialist, Univ. of Virginia Health System:
In other words, they can be past 60, but be pretty sturdy and robust.
Narrator:
Thanks to an organ donor and her otherwise healthy status, Deneen received a new lung and is doing well.
Deneen Allen, Transplant Patient:
I can do almost anything. I take aerobics, I take pilates. I lift weights and do all that. Do a lot of walking, so it's changed my life totally.
Narrator:
Instead of getting her walking papers, she's walking on air. For WebMD, I'm Sandee LaMotte.
