The Washington University and Barnes-Jewish lung transplant program recently reached another milestone when surgeons performed the 1,300th adult lung transplant. The lung transplant program is one of the largest in the world and renowned for its excellent patient outcomes, which equal or surpass national standards.

Barring complications, the lung transplant recipient will remain in St. Louis for about three months as doctors adjust medications and monitor for any signs of organ rejection. The patient will also work with a pulmonary rehabilitation specialist daily.

This latest milestone comes as the program celebrates its 25th anniversary. Its many innovations include the first to use single lung transplant for certain conditions such as pulmonary hypertension and development of the sequential bilateral lung transplant—the transplantation of each lung separately.

The hospital’s pulmonary division, an integral part of the lung transplant program, is also consistently ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. This year, it was named eighth in the country.

“This is yet another achievement from one of the most experienced transplant teams in the country, a team that is truly committed to providing patients with the best care possible,” said Gene Ridolfi, RN, director of the Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Transplant Center.

Read more about the history of the program and hear from a few of the patients who have had a life-changing lung transplant.

Barnes-Jewish Hospital is a 1,315 bed teaching hospital affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo. The hospital has a 1,763 member medical staff, with many recognized as "Best Doctors in America." Barnes-Jewish is a member of BJC HealthCare, which provides a full range of health care services through its 13 hospitals and more than 100 health care sites in Missouri and Illinois. Barnes-Jewish Hospital is also consistently ranked on the elite honor roll of America’s “Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report.

Contact:
Anne Bassett
(314) 286-0303
[email protected]