Introducing Our New Lung Center
Since early 2022, more than 100 lifesaving lung transplants have been performed at Jackson Memorial Hospital – compared to only 21 in all of 2021. The remarkable increase can be attributed to the inception of the new Lung Center at the Miami Transplant Institute, now home to one of the world’s leading lung teams.
Our experienced Lung Center team provide treatments for patients of all ages with complex lung diseases. Dr. Tiago N. Machuca leads the thoracic surgery service at Jackson Memorial and the Miami Transplant Institute, and he and his team specialize in advanced interventions for lung disease, including ECMO, lung transplantation, and robotic thoracic surgery.
Since early 2022, more than 100 lifesaving lung transplants have been performed at Jackson Memorial Hospital – compared to only 21 in all of 2021. The remarkable increase can be attributed to the inception of the new Lung Center at the Miami Transplant Institute, now home to one of the world’s leading lung teams.
Our experienced Lung Center team provide treatments for patients of all ages with complex lung diseases. Dr. Tiago N. Machuca leads the thoracic surgery service at Jackson Memorial and the Miami Transplant Institute, and he and his team specialize in advanced interventions for lung disease, including ECMO, lung transplantation, and robotic thoracic surgery.
Welcome
Our newly established Lung Center at the Miami Transplant Institute was designed to provide the most innovative approaches to insurgical lung and respiratory care. We feature a group of experts in pulmonary medicine, surgical, and critical care with extensive experience in treating the most complex conditions and delivering exceptional outcomes. Historically, patients in need of complex lung care have had challenges navigating a fragmented landscape. It was our desire to create a world-class center that offers a comprehensive range of services for all lung-related diseases and conditions under one roof. Our new center features an outpatient clinic, 3-day work ups, and a dedicated advanced critical care lung unit. This unit features a highly skilled integrated care team that includes critical care physicians, nurses, ECMO specialists, and physical therapists.
Is it is our goal to serve the global community and to provide exceptional outcomes for patients in need of care. From robotic thoracic surgery to ECMO to lung transplantation, my team is determined to explore all innovative treatment options and provide our patients with improved quality of life. If there is an answer, we will find it.
Warmly,
Tiago N. Machuca, MD, PhD
Director, Lung Center, Miami Transplant Institute
Description
Our newly established Lung Center at the Miami Transplant Institute was designed to provide the most innovative approaches to insurgical lung and respiratory care. We feature a group of experts in pulmonary medicine, surgical, and critical care with extensive experience in treating the most complex conditions and delivering exceptional outcomes. Historically, patients in need of complex lung care have had challenges navigating a fragmented landscape. It was our desire to create a world-class center that offers a comprehensive range of services for all lung-related diseases and conditions under one roof. Our new center features an outpatient clinic, 3-day work ups, and a dedicated advanced critical care lung unit. This unit features a highly skilled integrated care team that includes critical care physicians, nurses, ECMO specialists, and physical therapists.
Is it is our goal to serve the global community and to provide exceptional outcomes for patients in need of care. From robotic thoracic surgery to ECMO to lung transplantation, my team is determined to explore all innovative treatment options and provide our patients with improved quality of life. If there is an answer, we will find it.
Warmly,
Tiago N. Machuca, MD, PhD
Director, Lung Center, Miami Transplant Institute
Contact Our Experienced Multidisciplinary Team of Thoracic Experts
Request an Appointment
Our experienced transplant team members will listen to your situation, answer your questions, and connect you with the right specialist for your medical condition.
Refer a Patient
To refer a patient to the Lung Center, call 305-585-1MTI (1684), email [email protected], or fill out our refer form by clicking on the button below.
Been turned down with a Complex Lung Diagnosis?
We provide another opportunity for patients who have been turned down at another transplant center to be evaluated by our multidisciplinary team of transplant experts.
Conditions and Treatments
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Respiratory failure of sudden onset in adults or children that follows injury to the lung (as in sepsis, chest trauma, massive blood transfusion, aspiration of the gastric contents, or pneumonia) and results in the accumulation of protein-rich fluid and the collapse of alveoli leading to difficult, rapid breathing and very low levels of oxygen in the blood
Bronchiectasis
A condition that caused by chronic bacterial infections in the lungs. It causes the walls of the lungs to thicken and subsequently makes breathing difficult.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
A disease that damages the lungs and restrict their ability to absorb oxygen into the blood. Emphysema is a type of COPD where the lungs lose their elasticity and makes breathing more challenging.
Cystic Fibrosis
A genetic disorder that causes inflammation to the membranes in the lungs.
Diaphragm Paralysis and Weakness
Caused by the phrenic nerve sending weak signals to the diaphragm to contract or relax. This leads to patients have reduced breathing capabilities or being unable to control their voluntary breathing.
Diaphragm Eventration
The diaphragm is elevated due to a congenital condition or injury or trauma. In some cases this can cause lung compression and disrupt normal breathing.
Emphysema
A type of COPD where the lungs lose their elasticity and makes breathing more challenging.
Hyperhidrosis
Excessive sweating under the arms and feet. Uni-VATS can be used to relieve excess sweating by targeting certain nerves within the chest.
Interstitial Lung Disease
Scarring and inflammation of the lungs caused by autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, Sarcoidosis, Mixed connective tissue disease.
Lung Cancer
One of the most common forms of cancer and is the leading cause of death from cancer. Typically categorized into 2 groups – small cell lung cancer & non small cell lung cancer (NCSLC). NCSLCs include: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy can be combined with surgical intervention as a treatment option.
Mesothelioma
A usually malignant tumor in the mesothelial tissue (lining of the peritoneum or pleura).
Myasthenia Gravis
A disease that is characterized by progressive weakness and exhaustibility of voluntary muscles caused by an autoimmune attack on muscle cell receptors.
Nontuberculosis Mycobacterial Lung Infection (NTM)
An infectious condition caused by certain types of mycobacteria. Some people with NTM lung disease have no signs or symptoms, while others experience a severe cough, hemoptysis (coughing up blood), shortness of breath, fatigue, fever, night sweats and/or weight loss. Mycobacteria are found naturally in soil and water. Immunocompromised are a greater risk for NTM. High incidence in the Southeast US.
Pulmonary Embolic Disease
A condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot preventing oxygen from reaching sections of the lung, causing shortness of breath and chest pain.
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Scarring in the lungs. Over time, the scar tissue restricts the flow of oxygen from the air sacs to the bloodstream causing shortness of breath.
Pulmonary Hypertension
Abnormally high blood pressure specifically in the pulmonary vasculature (arteries and veins) of the lungs and the right side of the heart.
Sarcoidosis
A condition that causes small collections of inflammatory cells to grow in the lungs.
Thymus Cancer
An abnormal growth of malignant cells in the thymus gland in the upper chest. Linked to myasthenia gravis and other autoimmune diseases.
Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction
A novel FDA-approved, non-surgical procedure to improve breathing in people with severe emphysema and hyperinflation.
Bronchoscopy
A diagnostic procedure to get a clearer picture of a patient’s respiratory condition by looking inside the lungs with a small camera and collecting tissue samples.
Lung Surgery
Surgery can be used to repair diseased lung tissue or remove a portion of a damaged lung. It is often the most effective method of treating lung disease.
Lung Transplantation
Surgical procedure involving partial or total replacement of one or two diseased lungs. More frequently performed with patients with interstitial lung diseases, COPD, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension. Also can be performed on patients whose lung function diminished greatly post-COVID.
Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
Removal of diseased lung tissue to improve the function of healthy parts of the lung.
Minimally Invasive VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery)
A minimally-invasive surgical technique where small incisions are made and a tiny camera and surgical instruments are inserted, providing the surgeon with visuals from inside of the chest.
Additional Conditions and Treatments
- COVID Lung
- Endobronchial U/S
- Robotic Bronchoscopy
Description
- COVID Lung
- Endobronchial U/S
- Robotic Bronchoscopy
Lung Center Team
Tiago N. Machuca, MD, PhD
Tiago N. Machuca, MD, PhD, joined the Miami Transplant Institute in early 2022 as director of the Lung Center, chief of the division of lung transplantation, assistant director of global oncology at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, and professor of clinical surgery at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. His clinical interests include thoracic surgical oncology, minimally invasive thoracic surgery, robotic surgery, tracheal surgery, lung transplantation and extracorporeal life support. His primary interest, however, is to provide each patient with the best outcome possible.
Mauricio Pipkin, MD
Surgical director of the ECMO program and associate professor of surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Fellowship director for transplant pulmonology and associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Andres Pelaez, MD
Co-medical director of lung transplantation and associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Neeraj Sinha, MD
Co-medical director of lung transplantation and associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Suresh K. Manickavel, MD
Transplant pulmonologist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Monica Cardenas, MD
Pediatric transplant pulmonologist and assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Mauricio Pipkin, MD
Surgical director of the ECMO program and associate professor of surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Fellowship director for transplant pulmonology and associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Andres Pelaez, MD
Co-medical director of lung transplantation and associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Neeraj Sinha, MD
Co-medical director of lung transplantation and associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Suresh K. Manickavel, MD
Transplant pulmonologist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Monica Cardenas, MD
Pediatric transplant pulmonologist and assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Patient Stories
Miami Transplant Institute
1801 NW 9th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33136
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
