Advanced body fat imaging to improve lung transplant outcomes
Official title: Advanced body composition imaging to improve outcomes in lung transplantation
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11398153 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses CT imaging of fat distribution to better predict who will do well with a lung transplant and when to list them, with the goal of improving survival after transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 25, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $704,298 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL180880-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398153 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults being evaluated for or undergoing lung transplantation who have obesity or abnormal fat distribution on CT scans.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose imaging does not reveal high-risk fat distribution patterns or who are not pursuing transplantation may experience limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
If funded, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania will analyze CT scans to measure body fat distribution beyond BMI and see how these measurements relate to survival and complications before and after lung transplantation. The study will help doctors refine waitlist timing and perioperative care to reduce risk of death and severe lung injury after transplant. Participants would contribute imaging data and health information to identify which fat patterns are linked to better or worse outcomes. This work aims to translate imaging findings into practical risk-stratification for transplant candidates and care teams.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more personalized waitlist timing and perioperative strategies to improve survival after lung transplant.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked adipose distribution to outcomes in broader populations, suggesting potential applicability to transplant risk, but this project targets a specific organ transplant setting.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anderson, Michaela Restivo — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Anderson, Michaela Restivo
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Body composition and outcomes after lung transplant
A patient-focused look at how body fat and muscle measurements around the time of lung transplant relate to recovery, complications, and quality of life after surgery.
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Body composition and outcomes after lung transplant
This study explores how body composition affects recovery and patient-reported well-being after lung transplantation.
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How body fat and muscle affect recovery after lung transplant
This project looks at how body fat and muscle mass relate to recovery, complications, and quality of life for people getting lung transplants.
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How body fat and muscle affect recovery and quality of life after lung transplant
This research looks at whether body fat, muscle mass, and related body-measure tests predict complications, survival, and quality of life for people getting lung transplants.
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How body composition affects outcomes in lung transplantation
This study is looking at how body weight and muscle health affect recovery and quality of life for people getting a lung transplant, so we can better support patients during their healing process.
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How body composition affects outcomes for lung transplant patients
This study is looking at how body weight and muscle mass affect the health and recovery of people getting a lung transplant, with the goal of helping doctors better care for their patients.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.