Our Approach to Lung Transplantation
The Montefiore Einstein Lung Transplantation Program is a leader in lung transplantation, serving patients from New York City, Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley. We're ranked in the top 1% of all hospitals in the nation for Pulmonology & Lung Surgery according to U.S. News & World Report. We are one of a few hospitals in the region that specialize in multi-organ transplant procedures, including Heart-Lung, Liver-Lung and Kidney-Lung transplants. Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively on the most complex procedures, including pretransplant extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), dual organ transplant, cardiothoracic surgery and bloodless surgery.
We are one of only two hospitals in New York City now using the LUNGguard™ Donor Lung Preservation System to transport lungs for transplantation. We are also one of only two centers in the country to use confocal laser endomicroscopy, which allows doctors to view and assess transplanted lungs at the cellular level.
Montefiore Einstein’s Lung Transplantation Program embraces a philosophy of care deeply rooted in diversity, equity and inclusion that has helped make lung transplantations more accessible to eligible candidates.
Leaders in Lung Transplantation
Since our opening, we have been at the forefront of lung transplantation, gaining a reputation for our excellence in patient care. As a bridge to transplantation, we offer patients individualized treatment plans and surgical options for conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease (ILD) and advanced pulmonary failure.
State-of-the-Art Lung Surgical & Transplantation Services
Our lung transplantation surgeons have expertise in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), dual organ transplants and bloodless transplants. Our multidisciplinary team are leaders in the latest research and techniques in lung transplantations. We are here to provide the expert care you need, accompanied by our compassionate support staff who are renowned for their excellence in patient care.
Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) is a minimally invasive option, performed using a valve to block diseased parts of the lung and allow healthier areas to inflate and work better.
Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy can be used in follow-up to directly view the lungs at a microscopic level after lung transplantation. This allows surgeons to monitor for acute cellular rejection after transplantation. We are partnering with France to secure the latest technology for our patients.
Our highly skilled physicians have expertise in the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which uses a pump to circulate blood through an artificial lung to oxygenate the blood, providing a bridge for patients who might not otherwise survive long enough to receive a lung transplantation.
Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is a surgical procedure that removes damaged lung tissue in patients with severe emphysema in order to improve the function of the remaining lung tissue.
Lung transplantation is a surgical procedure in which a patient’s diseased lungs are partially or totally replaced by lungs from an organ donor.
This innovative technique allows us to serve patients whose personal beliefs prohibit the use of blood transfusion.
Montefiore Einstein performed the first life-saving, combined lung-liver transplant in New York State. Our surgeons perform dual organ transplants (heart-lung, lung-kidney, lung-liver), all of which are considered rare.
Support Services for Lung Transplantation
To assist you on your transplantation journey, Montefiore Einstein Center for Transplantation provides comprehensive support services for you and your family, including language translation, education about diagnosis and procedure, nutrition guidance, insurance navigation assistance, caregiver support and a lifetime of follow-up care with your transplantation team.
Your Lung Transplantation Team
Stephen J. Forest, MD
Ali Y. Mansour, MD
Conditions Our Specialists Treat
Lung transplantation is for patients with advanced lung disease who can no longer be treated with conventional medical therapy or surgical intervention to improve their condition. Common causes include:
This condition occurs when the heart can’t pump or fill with enough blood, forcing it to work harder to deliver blood to the body. Advanced heart disease can also be called congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, fluid in the lungs or ventricular dysfunction.
COPD is a lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. It is caused by damage to the lungs over many years caused by smoking or environmental factors.
Caused by scarring and blood clots, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) occurs when there is high blood pressure in the small blood vessels of the lungs. CTEPH is treatable. However, if left untreated, patients with CTEPH have a reduced life expectancy.
Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas and other organs. In the lungs, mucus clogs the airways and can lead to infections, inflammation, respiratory failure and other complications.
Emphysema is a lung disease that causes shortness of breath due to damage of the air sacs (alveoli). Emphysema can be caused by smoking, vaping, air pollution, or exposure to chemical fumes. Additional symptoms include coughing and fatigue.
Caused by environmental exposure, genetics or lifestyle habits, interstitial lung disease (ILD) refers to a group of diseases that cause scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs. The scarring makes it difficult to breathe and get sufficient oxygen to the bloodstream. Lung damage from ILD is often irreversible and gets worse over time.
Pulmonary hypertension occurs when pressure in the blood vessels leading from the heart to the lungs is too high. This condition affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.
What to Expect During the Lung Transplantation Process
Knowing what to expect during your transplantation process can make the procedure go more smoothly. At Montefiore Einstein, our skilled and compassionate surgeons, nurses and social workers walk you through each step of the process, from your initial referral to postoperative follow-up care.
Our Location
We serve all Comprehensive Lung Program patients under one unified team. This team approach ensures multifaceted care, minimizing complexity for patients and ensuring seamless communication.
Greene Medical Arts Pavilion
3400 Bainbridge Avenue, 5th Floor
Bronx, NY 10467
718-920-LUNG (5864)
