Transplants are a crucial part of the range of recognised interventions needed to manage Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Like any other major surgery, transplants carry considerable risks and a transplant is appropriate only for a patient who is severely ill and has tried all other forms of conventional treatment. To these patients, transplantation can offer both a chance of an extended life and a significantly better quality of life.

Lung Transplantation

Double lung transplants for adult patients in Ireland are carried out in Dublin (Mater Misericordiae University Hospital) and in Newcastle, England (Freeman Hospital). The quality of the surgery and care before and after surgery in both centres is very high which is reflected in success rates. There are separate active transplant lists for both hospitals.

Pre and post-transplant support for all transplant patients is undertaken in the Mater Hospital irrespective of where the surgery is carried out. Lung transplantation is rarely proposed for children because of the range of options of other treatments that are now available, but, if required, this surgery is not carried out in Ireland and children with CF who need a transplant are referred to a UK transplant centre. 

The Mater Hospital Lung Transplant Booklet
If you are interested in learning more, the Mater Hospital website provides a wide range of background information on all the phases of lung transplantation, including the Pre-Transplant, Operation and Post-Transplant Phases. Cystic Fibrosis Ireland provided financial support for this website.

Other Organ Transplantation in CF

Cystic Fibrosis is not just a lung-illness - it is a multi-organ illness and with disease progression in certain cases, non-lung transplantation can occur. In the past heart and lung transplantation was indicated in the case where lung transplantation was required, whereas now more commonly lung transplantation will occur without the requirement of heart transplantation. In other persons with CF kidney transplant or liver transplant may be required, independent of the person’s lung health.

Kidney Transplantation in CF
Complications of CF due to increasing age of CF population include impaired oral glucose tolerance and CF related diabetes. Diabetes care includes screening for diabetes related kidney impairment which can progress over time. With progression of diabetes related kidney impairment, a patient may be referred for kidney transplantation.

Additionally and separate to a comorbidity diabetes, kidney function impairment and damage can progress in a post- lung transplant patient due to cytotoxic side effect of anti-rejection medications, such that some persons with CF who have had a successful lung transplant in the past may be referred for kidney transplant several years post lung transplant.

Kidney transplantation is carried out at the National Renal Transplant Centre, in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

Donated kidney organs can be from either deceased donors or living donors. There is an additional kidney organ availability possible through the UK paired kidney exchange programme.

Liver Transplantation in CF
Approximately 9% of people with CF will have a comorbidity of liver disease, in addition to CF lung disease. 5 % paediatric and 11.2% adult cystic fibrosis patients respectively had non cirrhosis liver disease as per 2020 annual report of the Cystic Fibrosis Registry of Ireland. CF related liver disease can progress to an extent that an individual is referred for assessment for liver transplantation irrespective of their lung health. Liver transplants are carried out for adult patients at the National Liver and Pancreas Transplant Centre at St. Vincent’s University Hospital Dublin.

CFI Support for Transplantation and Organ Donation

CF Ireland provides support for people undergoing transplant assessment or transplantations.  

Please see our Transplant Assessment/Transplant Grant Scheme  or contact Samantha Byrne in CF House on Tel: 01-4962433 or email: sbyrne@cfireland.ie

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