Stem cell therapy may help recondition lungs previously rejected for transplant
Saturday, May 31, 2014 - 01:31
in Health & Medicine
Stem cells therapy has been used to “recondition” abnormally functioning donor lungs that were deemed unusable for transplantion. This study could have implications for increasing the supply of suitable donor lungs. Nearly 1,650 people in the U.S. are awaiting lung transplants. Unfortunately, both domestically and abroad, the demand for donor lungs far outpaces the supply. The limited availability of donor lungs can lead to long delays before transplant, leaving patients to face a mortality rate of up to 40 percent while they wait.