Translating Research into Next-Generation Pulmonary Care
The Stanford Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine (PACCM) is at the forefront of new developments in understanding and treating pulmonary disease. We focus on innovative clinical approaches to help prevent, diagnose, and treat respiratory diseases, allergic conditions, and critical illnesses.
Our team works closely with investigators in science and clinical departments across the university and with faculty in divisions throughout the Department of Medicine. We dedicate ourselves to improving the lives of patients with all types of lung conditions.
Pioneering Treatments That Change Lives
At Stanford Medicine, our renowned clinicians, scientists, and scholars focus on improving the treatment of people with respiratory disease. We have long been on the front lines of new developments in pulmonary care. Our specialists drive a range of pulmonary innovations, including:
- Advancing pulmonary hypertension care: Our Adult Pulmonary Hypertension Program is one of the world’s top treatment and research programs. As a Pulmonary Hypertension Association Center of Comprehensive Care, we improve the quality of care and outcomes in patients with all forms of pulmonary hypertension.
- Delivering care for cystic fibrosis: We have one of the largest treatment centers in the country focused on adults with cystic fibrosis. Our combined adult and pediatric cystic fibrosis programs form the country’s largest cystic fibrosis center.
- Increasing effectiveness of lung transplants: We have one of the most active lung transplant programs in the U.S., performing between 50 and 60 lung transplants a year. As part of the Lung Transplant Consortium—an important National Institutes of Health initiative for lung transplant research—we continually research how to improve lung transplant outcomes. Our team also performs more heart-lung transplants than any other transplant center in the nation.
- Leading research for allergies and asthma: We specialize in researching and treating all types of allergies and asthma at our comprehensive Allergy, Asthma, and Immunodeficiency Clinic.
- Using stem cell therapy: Our team continues to explore using stem cell technology to replace diseased lung tissue in lung conditions such as interstitial lung disease.
Innovation Through Clinical Research
At Stanford Medicine, we focus on translating research findings to better understand and identify effective treatments for lung disease. Leading pulmonary experts, educators, and physicians come together to investigate groundbreaking treatments using the latest technology. Our investigations will transform patient care and help train the next generation of leaders in pulmonary, allergy, and critical care medicine. Specific areas of research include:
- Contribution of the immune response to lung disease; specifically, how inflammation contributes to the development of pulmonary hypertension
- Research and treatment of pulmonary vascular disease
- Understanding the genetic, cellular, and molecular mechanisms involved in the development of pulmonary hypertension (PAH)
Innovation Highlights
Stanford Medicine researchers and doctors have discovered, invented, and implemented a wide range of revolutionary techniques and treatments. Hospitals across the country now use many of these therapies to manage and treat pulmonary disease. Highlights of our many contributions to respiratory medicine include:
- Conducting research studies in pulmonary, allergy, and critical care medicine labs: We have a number of research labs with specific focuses to help transform patient care.
- Exceeding the national average in lung transplant outcomes: Our one-year post-transplant survival rate is 96.86%, above the national average of 89.45%. Among adult lung transplant programs, Stanford Health Care has the highest survival rate in California and the fourth highest in the U.S.
- Offering complex transplant procedures: Stanford Health Care includes the largest multi-organ transplant center in the U.S. Our Transplant Program uses advanced procedures including lung-liver, lung-kidney, and heart-kidney-liver transplants.
- Performing milestone transplants: In 1981, Stanford cardiothoracic surgeons performed the world’s first successful heart-lung transplant on a patient with pulmonary hypertension.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
Science-focused stories
Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion Expands Donor Pool for Lung Transplant Program
Ex vivo lung perfusion has altered the landscape of lung transplantation. It enables donor lungs to be re-conditioned, repaired, and/or preserved.
Stanford Awarded NIH Grant for Major Lung Transplant Research Initiative
Stanford Medicine is one of eight clinical centers focusing on lung transfer research over a five-year period. Our research focuses on the impaired vaccine responses of lung transplant recipients to help improve vaccine design and effectiveness.
Driving Innovation to Increase Access to Care
Learn how Stanford Medicine leans on diversity, science, and technology to help improve health care delivery for patients with respiratory disease.
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