Could i give my brother a lung?

Answer 1

There are certain requirements for potential lung donors, due to the needs of the potential recipient. In the case of living donors, this is also in consideration of how the surgery will affect the donor.[2]

• healthy;
• size match; the donated lung or lungs must be large enough to adequately oxygenate the patient, but small enough to fit within the recipient's chest cavity;
• age;
• blood type.

Requirements for potential recipientsWhile each transplant center is free to set its own criteria for transplant candidates, certain requirements are generally agreed upon:[2]

• end-stage lung disease;
• has exhausted other available therapies without success;
• no other chronic medical conditions (e.g. heart, kidney, liver);
• no current infections or recent cancer. There are certain cases where preexisting infection is unavoidable, as with many patients with cystic fibrosis. In such cases, transplant centers, at their own discretion, may accept or reject patients with current infections of B. cepacia or MRSA.
• no HIV or hepatitis;
• no alcohol, smoking, or drug abuse;
• within an acceptable weight range (marked undernourishment or obesity are both associated with increased mortality);
• age (single vs. double tx);
• acceptable psychological profile;
• has social support system;
• financially able to pay for expenses;
• able to comply with post-transplant regimen. A lung transplant is a major operation, and following the transplant, the patient must be willing to adhere to a lifetime regimen of medications as well as continuing medical care.