NIH-funded research U01 cooperative agreement

Improving access to lung transplants for high-risk patients

Official title: CATCH: Creating Access to Transplant for Candidates who are High Risk

Funded at University Health Network · NIH-10892173 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is working to make it easier for high-risk patients, like those with severe lung issues or on life support, to get lung transplants by creating clear guidelines to ensure they receive fair treatment and care.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity Health Network
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Toronto, Canada)
Project startAugust 5, 2022
Project endJuly 31, 2027
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$390,726
NIH project number5U01HL163298-03
Project IDNIH-10892173 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include patients with ARDS, those requiring ECMO support, and highly sensitized patients facing barriers to lung transplantation.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not considered high-risk or do not have conditions related to ARDS or ECMO support may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing access to lung transplantation for patients who are considered high-risk, including those with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and those requiring ECMO support. The project aims to establish clear guidelines and protocols to ensure these patients receive equitable treatment and care. By collaborating with the NIH Lung Transplant Consortium, the research seeks to address the disparities in transplant access and outcomes for these vulnerable populations. The methodology involves gathering data and insights from various transplant programs to create a standardized approach to managing high-risk candidates.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve survival rates and quality of life for high-risk patients needing lung transplants.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that improving access and standardizing care for high-risk transplant candidates can lead to better outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

  • University Health Network
    Toronto, Canada
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Keshavjee, Shaf — University Health Network
  • Study coordinator: Keshavjee, Shaf

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.