GITNUXREPORT 2025

Lung Transplant Statistics

Lung transplants save lives, but donor shortages and complications persist.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

20-25% of lung transplant recipients develop primary graft dysfunction within the first 72 hours post-surgery

Statistic 2

The most common complication after lung transplantation is chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), affecting over 50% of patients within 5 years

Statistic 3

The risk of acute rejection peaks within the first year after lung transplant, affecting about 20% of patients

Statistic 4

Lung transplant recipients have a higher risk of developing infections due to immunosuppression, with bacterial pneumonia being most common

Statistic 5

Chronic rejection (CLAD) is responsible for the majority of late graft failures in lung transplant recipients

Statistic 6

Approximately 15-20% of lung transplant recipients develop post-transplant malignancies, primarily skin cancers and lymphomas

Statistic 7

The development of bioartificial lungs is progressing, aiming to reduce dependence on donor organs in the future

Statistic 8

Immunosuppressive medications increase the risk of post-transplant diabetes in about 20-30% of recipients, impacting long-term health

Statistic 9

The use of genetically engineered organs is being researched to reduce rejection and improve outcomes, though it is still in experimental stages

Statistic 10

The primary indications for lung transplantation include COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and cystic fibrosis

Statistic 11

Nearly 80% of lung transplantation patients in the U.S. are male, according to recent data

Statistic 12

The average age of lung transplant recipients is around 55 years old, with a median age range of 50-60 years

Statistic 13

Smoking history in donors is associated with poorer transplant outcomes, emphasizing the importance of donor screening

Statistic 14

The rate of lung transplantation in women is around 30% of total cases, with men comprising the remaining 70%

Statistic 15

Approximately 10-15% of donors are under 18 years old, affecting donor availability and organ quality

Statistic 16

The incidence of donor lung discard after procurement ranges from 10% to 20%, primarily due to quality issues or infection risk

Statistic 17

Shortage of donor lungs has led to increased use of extended criteria donors, who may have risk factors but can still provide viable organs

Statistic 18

Over 40,000 lung transplants had been performed globally by 2022

Statistic 19

Approximately 1,500 lung transplants are performed annually in the United States

Statistic 20

The demand for lung transplants exceeds the available donor organs by a ratio of approximately 4 to 1

Statistic 21

The lung donation rate in the U.S. is about 20 donors per million people

Statistic 22

The cost of a lung transplant in the U.S. averages around $1.2 million, including pre- and post-operative care

Statistic 23

The lung transplant waiting list size has increased by approximately 15% annually over the last five years

Statistic 24

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to transplant has increased, improving short-term survival for critically ill patients

Statistic 25

The use of ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) techniques has increased donor organ utilization by about 20%, expanding the donor pool

Statistic 26

The global lung transplant market is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 8% through 2030, driven by technological advances and rising disease prevalence

Statistic 27

The use of telemedicine for post-transplant care has increased by approximately 60% since 2020, improving access and follow-up

Statistic 28

The majority of lung transplants worldwide are performed in the United States, accounting for roughly 50% of all procedures globally

Statistic 29

The average survival rate for lung transplant recipients is approximately 90% at 1 year post-transplant

Statistic 30

The median wait time for a lung transplant in the U.S. is about 3 to 6 months

Statistic 31

Lung transplant survival rates vary significantly depending on the underlying condition, with cystic fibrosis patients having slightly higher survival rates

Statistic 32

Living donor lung transplants are rare but have been successfully performed in select cases

Statistic 33

Immunosuppressive therapy post-transplant is essential to prevent organ rejection, and patients typically remain on these medications for life

Statistic 34

Advances in 3D imaging and surgical techniques have improved lung transplant outcomes significantly over the past decade

Statistic 35

Survival rates for lung transplants have improved by approximately 30% over the past 20 years, thanks to advances in immunosuppression and surgical techniques

Statistic 36

The 5-year survival rate for lung transplant recipients is around 55%, but varies widely depending on the underlying condition

Statistic 37

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) affects about 40% of lung transplant patients within 5 years post-transplant

Statistic 38

Donor-recipient compatibility for blood type and HLA matching significantly impacts transplant success rates

Statistic 39

Lung transplantation outcomes are generally poorer for patients over the age of 65, with survival rates dropping below 50% at 5 years

Statistic 40

The longest documented lung transplant survival exceeds 30 years, with some cases reported in medical literature

Statistic 41

Lung transplants are generally more successful in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis compared to other diagnoses, with over 60% 5-year survival

Statistic 42

Re-transplantation accounts for about 5-10% of all lung transplants, often due to chronic rejection or primary graft failure

Statistic 43

Patient adherence to immunosuppressive therapy is critical, with non-compliance linked to increased risk of rejection and graft failure

Statistic 44

Advances in genetic matching have decreased the incidence of rejection episodes in lung transplantation, improving long-term outcomes

Statistic 45

Lung transplantation is considered a last resort treatment after other therapies for end-stage lung disease have failed, with only about 2% of eligible patients undergoing the procedure annually

Statistic 46

The incidence of pulmonary hypertension is a common indication for lung transplantation, especially in idiopathic cases

Statistic 47

Pre-transplant rehabilitation improves post-operative outcomes and survival rates, with up to 15% better overall survival

Statistic 48

The prevalence of cystic fibrosis as an indication for lung transplantation has remained steady at about 20-25% over the past decade

Statistic 49

In recent years, the survival rate at 10 years post-lung transplant is approximately 30-40%, highlighting ongoing challenges in long-term graft maintenance

Slide 1 of 49

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Over 40,000 lung transplants had been performed globally by 2022
The average survival rate for lung transplant recipients is approximately 90% at 1 year post-transplant
Approximately 1,500 lung transplants are performed annually in the United States
The primary indications for lung transplantation include COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and cystic fibrosis
The median wait time for a lung transplant in the U.S. is about 3 to 6 months
20-25% of lung transplant recipients develop primary graft dysfunction within the first 72 hours post-surgery
The most common complication after lung transplantation is chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), affecting over 50% of patients within 5 years
Lung transplant survival rates vary significantly depending on the underlying condition, with cystic fibrosis patients having slightly higher survival rates
The demand for lung transplants exceeds the available donor organs by a ratio of approximately 4 to 1
The lung donation rate in the U.S. is about 20 donors per million people
Living donor lung transplants are rare but have been successfully performed in select cases
Immunosuppressive therapy post-transplant is essential to prevent organ rejection, and patients typically remain on these medications for life
The risk of acute rejection peaks within the first year after lung transplant, affecting about 20% of patients

With over 40,000 lung transplants performed worldwide by 2022—and survival rates improving thanks to cutting-edge surgical techniques and immunosuppressive therapies—this life-saving procedure offers hope for thousands battling severe lung diseases, yet persistent challenges like donor shortages and chronic rejection continue to shape the future of lung transplantation.

Complications, Challenges, and Advancements

20-25% of lung transplant recipients develop primary graft dysfunction within the first 72 hours post-surgery
The most common complication after lung transplantation is chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), affecting over 50% of patients within 5 years
The risk of acute rejection peaks within the first year after lung transplant, affecting about 20% of patients
Lung transplant recipients have a higher risk of developing infections due to immunosuppression, with bacterial pneumonia being most common
Chronic rejection (CLAD) is responsible for the majority of late graft failures in lung transplant recipients
Approximately 15-20% of lung transplant recipients develop post-transplant malignancies, primarily skin cancers and lymphomas
The development of bioartificial lungs is progressing, aiming to reduce dependence on donor organs in the future
Immunosuppressive medications increase the risk of post-transplant diabetes in about 20-30% of recipients, impacting long-term health
The use of genetically engineered organs is being researched to reduce rejection and improve outcomes, though it is still in experimental stages

Complications, Challenges, and Advancements Interpretation

While lung transplantation offers a vital hope, with over half of recipients facing chronic rejection within five years and up to a quarter battling early graft dysfunction or rejection within the first year, the journey underscores a relentless balancing act where immunosuppression safeguards against rejection yet opens the door to infections, malignancies, and metabolic complications, spotlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions like bioartificial lungs and genetically engineered organs to breathe new life into the future of pulmonary transplantation.

Donor and Recipient Factors

The primary indications for lung transplantation include COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and cystic fibrosis
Nearly 80% of lung transplantation patients in the U.S. are male, according to recent data
The average age of lung transplant recipients is around 55 years old, with a median age range of 50-60 years
Smoking history in donors is associated with poorer transplant outcomes, emphasizing the importance of donor screening
The rate of lung transplantation in women is around 30% of total cases, with men comprising the remaining 70%
Approximately 10-15% of donors are under 18 years old, affecting donor availability and organ quality
The incidence of donor lung discard after procurement ranges from 10% to 20%, primarily due to quality issues or infection risk
Shortage of donor lungs has led to increased use of extended criteria donors, who may have risk factors but can still provide viable organs

Donor and Recipient Factors Interpretation

While lung transplants predominantly serve middle-aged men battling COPD and fibrosis, the persistent donor shortages—compounded by age and smoking-related quality concerns—highlight the urgent need to expand and refine the donor pool to save more lives.

Market Trends, Costs, and Demand

Over 40,000 lung transplants had been performed globally by 2022
Approximately 1,500 lung transplants are performed annually in the United States
The demand for lung transplants exceeds the available donor organs by a ratio of approximately 4 to 1
The lung donation rate in the U.S. is about 20 donors per million people
The cost of a lung transplant in the U.S. averages around $1.2 million, including pre- and post-operative care
The lung transplant waiting list size has increased by approximately 15% annually over the last five years
The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to transplant has increased, improving short-term survival for critically ill patients
The use of ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) techniques has increased donor organ utilization by about 20%, expanding the donor pool
The global lung transplant market is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 8% through 2030, driven by technological advances and rising disease prevalence
The use of telemedicine for post-transplant care has increased by approximately 60% since 2020, improving access and follow-up
The majority of lung transplants worldwide are performed in the United States, accounting for roughly 50% of all procedures globally

Market Trends, Costs, and Demand Interpretation

With over 40,000 lung transplants globally—primarily led by the U.S.—and a 4:1 demand-to-donor ratio, the respiratory rescue mission is as urgent as it is costly, with innovations like EVLP, ECMO, and telemedicine expanding capacity and survivability amidst a growing, desperate need for more lungs.

Transplant Outcomes and Survival Rates

The average survival rate for lung transplant recipients is approximately 90% at 1 year post-transplant
The median wait time for a lung transplant in the U.S. is about 3 to 6 months
Lung transplant survival rates vary significantly depending on the underlying condition, with cystic fibrosis patients having slightly higher survival rates
Living donor lung transplants are rare but have been successfully performed in select cases
Immunosuppressive therapy post-transplant is essential to prevent organ rejection, and patients typically remain on these medications for life
Advances in 3D imaging and surgical techniques have improved lung transplant outcomes significantly over the past decade
Survival rates for lung transplants have improved by approximately 30% over the past 20 years, thanks to advances in immunosuppression and surgical techniques
The 5-year survival rate for lung transplant recipients is around 55%, but varies widely depending on the underlying condition
Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) affects about 40% of lung transplant patients within 5 years post-transplant
Donor-recipient compatibility for blood type and HLA matching significantly impacts transplant success rates
Lung transplantation outcomes are generally poorer for patients over the age of 65, with survival rates dropping below 50% at 5 years
The longest documented lung transplant survival exceeds 30 years, with some cases reported in medical literature
Lung transplants are generally more successful in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis compared to other diagnoses, with over 60% 5-year survival
Re-transplantation accounts for about 5-10% of all lung transplants, often due to chronic rejection or primary graft failure
Patient adherence to immunosuppressive therapy is critical, with non-compliance linked to increased risk of rejection and graft failure
Advances in genetic matching have decreased the incidence of rejection episodes in lung transplantation, improving long-term outcomes
Lung transplantation is considered a last resort treatment after other therapies for end-stage lung disease have failed, with only about 2% of eligible patients undergoing the procedure annually
The incidence of pulmonary hypertension is a common indication for lung transplantation, especially in idiopathic cases
Pre-transplant rehabilitation improves post-operative outcomes and survival rates, with up to 15% better overall survival
The prevalence of cystic fibrosis as an indication for lung transplantation has remained steady at about 20-25% over the past decade
In recent years, the survival rate at 10 years post-lung transplant is approximately 30-40%, highlighting ongoing challenges in long-term graft maintenance

Transplant Outcomes and Survival Rates Interpretation

While lung transplants boast a promising 90% survival rate at one year and a remarkable 30-year longevity in some cases, the journey remains fraught with challenges like chronic rejection, limited donor availability, and the critical need for lifelong immunosuppression, highlighting both medical progress and the persistent hurdles in respiratory transplant care.