How can lungs from donors who were heavy smokers benefit recipients?

Research shows that transplanting lungs from donors with a history of heavy smoking does not appear to negatively affect recipient outcomes following surgery. The results of this study should give people waiting for a lung transplant what they need most -- hope. The findings shed light on the possibility of reducing waiting-list mortality by maximization of donor selection. The number of available organs for a given recipient will increase. By showing that a positive smoking history in donors has no discernable negative impact on early (up to 72 hours post-transplant) or mid-term(1- and 3- year followup) transplant outcomes, the current policy of refusing donors with a smoking history of at least 20 pack years is clearly questioned.