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Doctor Stories

Stanford Health Care Once Again Among the Top Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant Programs in the U.S.

The recent 2024 reports from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) demonstrate Stanford Health Care’s continued excellence in lung and heart-lung transplant1,2. With a dedication to innovation, quality, and safety, the program exceeds several key national benchmarks for patient outcomes.

“Having performed the world’s first heart-lung transplant in 1981, we have a proud history of helping people live longer, healthier lives,” says Gundeep Dhillon, MD, transplant pulmonologist and medical director of the Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant Program. “Our success stems from the experience and dedication of our transplant teams—they truly make the difference.”

CARE AT STANFORD

Stanford Health Care (SHC) (formerly Stanford Hospital & Clinics)

Our pulmonologists, surgeons, and their teams offer expert lung transplants for people with advanced lung diseases such as COPD and cystic fibrosis.
650-723-3633

Visit Lung Transplant Program

Gundeep Dhillon, MD

Beating the national averages

According to the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database (data available since 1988), the team has performed more than 1350 lung and heart-lung transplants. “This high volume of procedures has translated to the exceptional results we are known for,” says Dr. Dhillon.





For lung transplant, Stanford Health Care outperforms the national averages in:

  • 1-year graft and 1-year patient survival rates: Graft and patient survival rates at one year are higher than the U.S average rate.
  • Pre-transplant mortality rate (waitlist mortality): Stanford Health Care’s observed pre-transplant mortality rate (13.3) is better (lower) than expected (16.8). It’s also lower than and the U.S. (15.9) and Region 5 (17.0), which includes California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.
  • Organ offer acceptance ratio: The number of organs accepted is significantly higher than expected (71 vs. 43.9), with an acceptance ratio (1.59) exceeding the donor service area (1.46) and U.S. (1.00).

“We are proud to have the highest volume of heart-lung transplants in the country, along with exceptional survival outcomes,” says Dr. Dhillon. Both 1-year graft and patient survival rates surpass U.S. averages (1-year graft survival: 84.44% vs. 81.85%; 1-year patient survival: 87.69% vs. 82.69%).

Leaders in solid organ transplant

In addition to lung and heart-lung transplantation, Stanford Health Care offers other lifesaving transplant procedures with similar levels of distinction. Through clinical excellence and innovative research, we are defining the future of transplant medicine. 

Areas of focus include: 

  • Heart transplant: The Heart Transplant Program at Stanford Health Care is one of the largest and best in the nation. It features superior transplant rates, organ offer acceptance ratios, and wait times, making it possible to perform more transplants faster. Physicians are also working to detect heart transplant rejection earlier using noninvasive breath tests.
  • Kidney transplant: Home to a world-class Kidney Transplant Program, Stanford Health Care is leading the way in transplant research. For example, scientists are investigating ways to reduce the need for immunosuppressive therapy after some kidney transplants.
  • Liver transplant: Liver transplant teams have performed more than 1,400 adult liver transplants, surpassing the national averages for graft and patient survival rates. Researchers are also increasing access to liver transplant for patients with severe alcohol-associated liver disease and limited sobriety.

How to refer a patient

For patients with lung failure, early referral is better to avoid complications that might interfere with recovery. The main criteria for lung transplantation are:

  • Progressive lung disease that has not responded to other treatments
  • Absence of recent cancer (2 years disease-free) or other life-threatening diseases
  • Age less than 70 years
  • BMI between 16 and 35 kg/m2

Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as up-to-date information for physicians and office staff. For more information about the Stanford Health Care Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant Program:

To refer a patient:

1Stanford Health Care Lung Transplant SRTR Report (Released July 18, 2024)

2Stanford Health Care Heart-Lung Transplant SRTR report (Released July 9, 2024)

About Stanford Health Care

Stanford Health Care seeks to heal humanity through science and compassion, one patient at a time, through its commitment to care, educate and discover. Stanford Health Care delivers clinical innovation across its inpatient services, specialty health centers, physician offices, virtual care offerings and health plan programs.

Stanford Health Care is part of Stanford Medicine, a leading academic health system that includes the Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Health Care, and Stanford Children’s Health, with Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. Stanford Medicine is renowned for breakthroughs in treating cancer, heart disease, brain disorders and surgical and medical conditions. For more information, visit: www.stanfordhealthcare.org.

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