How long can a person live with a lung transplant?

Only about 55 percent of patients survive five years after the transplant. Those rates are better at Bay Area hospitals, where about two-thirds of patients can expect to survive that long. Nationwide, only a third of patients live 10 years. It's unclear what, exactly, goes wrong after the first year. read more

Still, more than 80% of people survive at least one year after lung transplant. After three years, between 55% and 70% of those receiving lung transplants are alive. Age at the time of transplant is the most important factor influencing lung transplant survival. read more

On April 1, 2013, Steve Rasmussen, celebrated the 25th anniversary of his successful heart-lung transplant to treat his serious case of cystic fibrosis. On April 1, 2013, Steve Rasmussen, celebrated the 25th anniversary of his successful heart-lung transplant to treat his serious case of cystic fibrosis. read more