Initial Consultation
If you are considered a potential transplant candidate after the preliminary evaluation, you are invited to the Inova Transplant Center for further assessment and to meet members of the transplant team. (Please keep in mind that while a consultation is the next important step in the transplantation process, it does not guarantee a transplant.)
During the first visit, you will see the lung transplant coordinator, a transplant pulmonologist and the financial coordinator. Before this visit, our team works to obtain and review your medical records, radiographic studies, pulmonary function tests, and where appropriate, hemodynamic data and pathology slides. If possible, bring originals (or copies of) CAT scan(s) and chest X-rays, rather than just the reports from these tests.
The transplant coordinator explains the transplant
process. Because transplantation affects caregivers
as well as the patient, family members should attend.
The financial coordinator provides a clear overview of what your insurance benefits will cover and provides guidance and structured planning.
The transplant pulmonologist performs an assessment to determine if you are a good candidate for transplantation. The assessment confirms the underlying disease process and its severity, determines that all available therapies other than transplantation have been considered or tried, and carefully looks for potential contraindications that rule out transplantation.
This process continues during the comprehensive work-up phase of the evaluation when a number of medical tests will be scheduled and performed.
