Breakthrough Achievements in Lung Transplants: 95 Procedures, Top Rankings, and Groundbreaking Research

In a historic feat, UCSF Medical Center concludes the year with an unprecedented 95 lung transplants, a remarkable milestone for the medical community. The institution's outstanding achievements have solidified its position as a leader in lung transplantation, garnering recognition nationally and regionally. 

For the second consecutive year, we are thrilled to announce that we have once again achieved the coveted #1 position in California and west coast and, additionally, the #1 position for UNOS region 5 & 6, encompassing 11 lung transplant centers in the western hemisphere. 

On a national scale, UCSF proudly secures the 5th spot, solidifying its standing among the elite transplant centers in the country. For more than a decade, our program has consistently surpassed expectations in patient survival, setting an unparalleled record. This exceptional performance uniquely positions UCSF as the exclusive program in the country with such exceptional outcomes. These accomplishment highlights our institution’s steadfast commitment to advancing transplantation efforts in the western United States. It stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication to excellence in the field. 

Adding another accolade to its achievements, the UCSF lung transplant program continues to be on the cutting edge of innovation with endeavors such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation bridge to transplant, ex vivo donor lung perfusion, hepatitis C positive and DCD donor lung transplants. Most recently, the program has embarked on a groundbreaking international randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) investigating preservation temperatures, poised to bring transformative changes to the field. This underscores UCSF’s unwavering dedication to advancing medical science and enhancing outcomes for lung transplant recipients.

Important Numbers to Note: 

In total we performed 803 transplants last year! That’s up 51 from last year, or 6.8% increase. For a deeper breakdown within our department here's how we performed nationwide.

• Kidney – #3 in the US for all organ types, #3 for deceased donor and #3 for living donor
• Liver – #7 in the US for all organ types, #12 for deceased donor and #4 for living donor
• Lung – #5 in the US
• Heart – #8 in the US
• All organs – #2 in the US for all organ types, #4 for deceased donor and #4 for living donor