Changes in Liver Transplant Volume and Induction During the Covid-19 Era
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO
Meeting: 2021 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: 1093
Keywords: Infection, Liver grafts
Topic: Clinical Science » Liver » Liver: Immunosuppression and Rejection
Session Information
Session Name: Liver: Immunosuppression and Rejection
Session Type: Poster Abstract
Session Date & Time: None. Available on demand.
Location: Virtual
*Purpose: The rapid spread and high infectivity of COVID-19 resulted in disruption of transplant procedures at many centers, including pauses in living donor transplantation and limitation of life-saving transplants to candidates with highest need. We examined the contemporary trend of liver transplant, donor volume, and recipient induction regimens prior and during the pandemic.
*Methods: Data on liver transplant procedures from the national organ registries, Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, 1/1/2019-5/31/2020) and Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (6/1/2020-9/30/2020) were used. We excluded multiple organ transplantation.
*Results: There were 6,316 liver transplant performed between Jan 2020 and Sep 2020, compared to 5,972 in the same period in 2019. The volume of deceased donor liver transplant plummeted in March, reached a nadir in April, and increased starting from May to return to the level similar to the same month in 2019. Similar trends were seen for the liver organs that were recovered for transplant. For induction regimens, there was a decrease in the use of thymoglobulin and basiliximab, and an increase of no induction regimen, which usually involves intravenous steroids without antibody induction. Figure 1. Figure 2
*Conclusions: While there is a decrease in the use of thymoglobulin and basiliximab, there is no evidence that avoiding induction agents will result in better outcomes if transplant recipients get exposed to SARS-CoV-2 shortly after transplant. More data is needed to examine the risk and severity of infection according to induction therapy.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Alhamad T, Wellen J, Lentine K, Doyke M, Chapman W, Al-Hosni Y, Axelrod D, Chang S. Changes in Liver Transplant Volume and Induction During the Covid-19 Era [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2021; 21 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/changes-in-liver-transplant-volume-and-induction-during-the-covid-19-era/. Accessed November 24, 2024.« Back to 2021 American Transplant Congress