[LUNG TRANSPLANTATION IN ISRAEL: A 25-YEAR PERSPECTIVE]

Lung transplant is an accepted therapeutic option for patients with end stage lung disease. Since the first lung transplant in 1963, significant progress has been made in surgical technique, immunosuppressive therapy and patient care resulting in improved short- and long-term survival after lung transplantation. Yet, long-term survival remains limited, mainly due to chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). The main limitation for offering lung transplantation is organ availability. In Israel, waiting list numbers continue to rise while donor availability remains unchanged. Donor availability has declined during the past year likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Increasing awareness to organ donation among the general population, as well as among medical staff, may aid in locating potential organ donors and increasing donations. Donation after cardiac death (DCD) and living donor lobar lung transplant are further pathways that may be explored in an attempt to increase organ availability in Israel.