Early Referral for Lung Transplantation: Recognizing the Right Time-Early Referral for Lung Transplantation: Recognizing the Right Time

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This webinar focused on recognizing the right time for lung transplant referral across different diseases and clinical settings. Dr. Nahar emphasized that early referral in interstitial lung disease, especially idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, is critical because progression is unpredictable and the transplant window can be short. Referral should happen at diagnosis or when there is worsening lung function, oxygen needs, or decline in walk distance. Early referral allows time to address modifiable barriers such as coronary disease, reflux, osteoporosis, education, insurance, and shared decision-making.<br /><br />Dr. Levine discussed pulmonary arterial hypertension, which has a different and often unpredictable course. Because patients may appear stable until sudden right-heart decline, transplant discussion should begin early, even before high-risk status. She highlighted that PAH patients are often referred too late and that referral, evaluation, and listing require close collaboration between clinicians and transplant centers.<br /><br />Dr. Small focused on critically ill ICU patients, including those on ECMO or with rapidly progressive ILD. She stressed that ICU status should not automatically exclude transplant consideration. Early referral improves the chance to optimize nutrition, conditioning, and comorbidities, and to plan bridging strategies such as ECMO. Overall, the key message was: refer early, involve transplant teams early, and use multidisciplinary care to improve outcomes.

Meta Tag

Concept Biomarker Testing

Concept Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Concept Actionable Biomarker

Concept EGFR

Concept Treatment Selection

Keywords

biomarker testing

advanced lung cancer

targeted therapy

EGFR mutation

ALK rearrangement

ROS1

BRAF

PD-L1

lung cancer survival

Biomarker Testing

Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Actionable Biomarker

EGFR

Treatment Selection

lung transplant referral

interstitial lung disease

idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

pulmonary arterial hypertension

PAH

early referral

ECMO

critical care

multidisciplinary care