|
1
|
Batra RK, Latham SR, Gerber DA. Steady Hands, Heavy Hearts and the Path Forward to Moral Resilience in Organ Transplantation. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2024; 24:40-42. [PMID: 39565243 DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2024.2416131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh K Batra
- Yale University School of Medicine
- Yale New Haven Hospital
| | - Stephen R Latham
- Yale University School of Medicine
- Yale Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics
| | | |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Elalouf A, Yaniv-Rosenfeld A, Maoz H. Immune response against bacterial infection in organ transplant recipients. Transpl Immunol 2024; 86:102102. [PMID: 39094907 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2024.102102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
This comprehensive review delves into the intricate dynamics between the immune system and bacterial infections in organ transplant recipients. Its primary objective is to fill existing knowledge gaps while critically assessing the strengths and weaknesses of current research. The paper accentuates the delicate balance that must be struck between preventing graft rejection through immunosuppression and maintaining robust immunity against bacterial threats. In this context, personalized medicine emerges as a transformative concept, offering the potential to revolutionize clinical outcomes by tailoring immunosuppressive regimens and vaccination strategies to the unique profiles of transplant recipients. By emphasizing the pivotal role of continuous monitoring, the review underscores the necessity for vigilant surveillance of transplant recipients to detect bacterial infections and associated immune responses early, thereby reducing the risk of severe infections and ultimately improving patient outcomes. Furthermore, the study highlights the significance of the host microbiome in shaping immune responses, suggesting that interventions targeting the microbiome hold promise for enhancing bacterial immunity in transplant recipients, both in research and clinical practice. In terms of future research directions, the review advocates for large-scale, longitudinal studies encompassing diverse patient cohorts to provide more comprehensive insights into post-transplant immune responses. It also advocates integrating multi-omics approaches, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and microbiome data, to understand immune responses and their underlying mechanisms. In conclusion, this review significantly enriches our understanding of immune responses in transplant recipients. It paves the way for more effective and personalized approaches to managing infections in this complex setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amir Elalouf
- Bar-Ilan University, Department of Management, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel.
| | | | - Hanan Maoz
- Bar-Ilan University, Department of Management, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
|
3
|
Liava C, Ouranos K, Chatziioannou A, Kamenidou I, Kofinas A, Vasileiadou S, Antoniadis N, Katsanos G, Akriviadis E, Sinakos E. Impact and management of COVID-19 in liver transplant candidates and recipients. Ann Gastroenterol 2023; 36:477-489. [PMID: 37664224 PMCID: PMC10433260 DOI: 10.20524/aog.2023.0815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak has had severe consequences for global public health, medical communities, and the socioeconomic status of a considerable number of countries. The emergence of COVID-19 has also significantly impacted the world of liver transplantation (LT). Studies from transplantation centers around the world have shown that LTs during the COVID-19 pandemic have been restricted because of the high risk of serious COVID-19 infection in this population. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, patients with liver disease are considered at higher risk for severe COVID-19 infection. In March 2020, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases recommended that LT should be limited to emergency cases. The COVID-19 treatment guidelines published by the National Institutes of Health are being constantly updated according to new epidemiology trends and treatment regimens. Immunocompromised patients have a higher risk of developing severe disease or death from COVID-19 compared with the general population. In this review, we summarize the available evidence regarding treatment guidelines and considerations for the evaluation and management of LT candidates and recipients in the era of COVID-19. In addition, we present data regarding COVID-19 among LT patients in our local transplantation center.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Liava
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokratio Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Christina Liava, Konstantinos Ouranos, Anthi Chatziioannou, Evangelos Akriviadis, Emmanouil Sinakos)
| | - Konstantinos Ouranos
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokratio Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Christina Liava, Konstantinos Ouranos, Anthi Chatziioannou, Evangelos Akriviadis, Emmanouil Sinakos)
| | - Anthi Chatziioannou
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokratio Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Christina Liava, Konstantinos Ouranos, Anthi Chatziioannou, Evangelos Akriviadis, Emmanouil Sinakos)
| | - Irene Kamenidou
- Department of Management Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, Kavala Campus (Irene Kamenidou)
| | - Athanasios Kofinas
- Department of Transplantation Surgery Clinic, Hippokratio Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, (Athanasios Kofinas, Stella Vasileiadou, Nikolaos Antoniadis, Georgios Katsanos), Greece
| | - Stella Vasileiadou
- Department of Transplantation Surgery Clinic, Hippokratio Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, (Athanasios Kofinas, Stella Vasileiadou, Nikolaos Antoniadis, Georgios Katsanos), Greece
| | - Nikolaos Antoniadis
- Department of Transplantation Surgery Clinic, Hippokratio Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, (Athanasios Kofinas, Stella Vasileiadou, Nikolaos Antoniadis, Georgios Katsanos), Greece
| | - Georgios Katsanos
- Department of Transplantation Surgery Clinic, Hippokratio Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, (Athanasios Kofinas, Stella Vasileiadou, Nikolaos Antoniadis, Georgios Katsanos), Greece
| | - Evangelos Akriviadis
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokratio Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Christina Liava, Konstantinos Ouranos, Anthi Chatziioannou, Evangelos Akriviadis, Emmanouil Sinakos)
| | - Emmanouil Sinakos
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokratio Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Christina Liava, Konstantinos Ouranos, Anthi Chatziioannou, Evangelos Akriviadis, Emmanouil Sinakos)
| |
Collapse
|
|
4
|
Fatima I, Duong N. The impact of COVID-19 on liver transplantation: challenges and perspectives. Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2023; 16:17562848231171452. [PMID: 37180361 PMCID: PMC10172841 DOI: 10.1177/17562848231171452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presented unique challenges to patients with decompensated cirrhosis awaiting transplant, with respect to accessing medical facilities for routine clinic visits, imaging, laboratory workup, or endoscopies. There was a delay in organ procurement that led to a decrease in the number of liver transplants (LTs) and an increase in the morality of waitlisted patients at the beginning of the pandemic. LT numbers later equalized to pre-pandemic numbers due to combined efforts and adaptability of transplant centers as well as dynamic guidelines. Due to being immunosuppressed, the demographics of LT patients were at an increased risk of infection. Although there is a higher rate of mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic liver disease, LT itself is not a risk factor for mortality in COVID-19. There was no difference in overall mortality in LT patients compared to non-LT patients, and mortality risk factors were the same: age, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease. The most common causes of death were respiratory complications. Liver-related deaths were reported in 1.6% of patients. The optimal timing of liver transplantation post-infection depends on various factors, such as the severity of liver injury, the presence of comorbidities, and the progression of the underlying liver disease. There is not enough data available on COVID-19 cholangiopathy and the number of cases that will be seen in the future that will require LT. There are some concerns of lower immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines in LT patients but available evidence suggests that the vaccines are safe and well-tolerated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nikki Duong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and
Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA,
USA
| |
Collapse
|
|
5
|
Agnese GA, Federico N, Massimo C, Salvatore G, Giuseppe T, Maria EG, Luciano DC, Renato R, Carlo P, Antonio GP, Mario P. Liver transplantation from active COVID-19 donors: is it ethically justifiable? Transpl Infect Dis 2022; 24:e13846. [PMID: 35579913 PMCID: PMC9348408 DOI: 10.1111/tid.13846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The debate on the opportunity to use organs from donors testing positive for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in recipients with naïve resolved or active COVID‐19 is ongoing. We aim to present the ethical analyses underlying the decision to perform liver transplantation (LT) in selected patients with resolved or active COVID‐19 in Italy. We used Jonsen, Siegler, and Winslade's Four‐Boxes casuistic method, addressing the four topics considered as constitutive of the essential structure of single clinical cases for their ethical analysis (medical indications, patient preferences, quality of life, and contextual features) to enable decision‐making on a case‐by‐case basis. Based on these topics, we elucidate the meaning and balance among the principles of biomedical ethics. Clinical ethics judgment based on the relation between the risk of acquiring SARS‐CoV‐2 along with its potentially negative effects and the expected benefits of transplant lead to consider LT as clinically appropriate. Shared decision‐making allows the integration of clinical options with the patient's subjective preferences and considerations, enabling a valid informed consent specifically tailored to the patients’ individual circumstances. The inclusion of carefully selected SARS‐CoV‐2 positive donors represents an opportunity to offer lifesaving LT to patients who might otherwise have limited opportunities to receive one. COVID‐19 positive donor livers are fairly allocated among equals, and respect for fundamental rights of the individual and the broader community in a context of healthcare rationing is guaranteed.The ethical analysis of the decision to perform LT in selected patients shows that the decision is ethically justifiable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grossi Alessandra Agnese
- Center for Clinical Ethics, Department of Biotechnologies and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.,Department of Human Sciences, Innovation and Territory, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Nicoli Federico
- Center for Clinical Ethics, Department of Biotechnologies and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.,Clinical Ethics Service, Domus Salutis Clinic, Teresa Camplani Foundation, Brescia, Italy
| | - Cardillo Massimo
- Italian National Transplantation Center (CNT), Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Gruttadauria Salvatore
- Department for the Treatment and Study of Abdominal Diseases and Abdominal Transplantation, IRCCS-ISMETT, UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), Palermo, Italy.,Department of Surgery and Medical and Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Tisone Giuseppe
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Rome - Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Ettorre Giuseppe Maria
- Department of General and HBP Surgery, Liver Transplantation Service, San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - De Carlis Luciano
- General Surgery and Abdominal Transplantation Unit, University of Milano-Bicocca and Niguarda-Cà Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Romagnoli Renato
- General Surgery 2U and Liver Transplantation Center, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Petrini Carlo
- Bioethics Unit, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy
| | - Grossi Paolo Antonio
- Italian National Transplantation Center (CNT), Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.,Department of Medicine and Surgery, Infectious Disease Unit, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Picozzi Mario
- Center for Clinical Ethics, Department of Biotechnologies and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
|
6
|
Ibrahim B, Dawson R, Chandler JA, Goldberg A, Hartell D, Hornby L, Simpson C, Weiss MJ, Wilson LC, Wilson TM, Fortin MC. The COVID-19 pandemic and organ donation and transplantation: ethical issues. BMC Med Ethics 2021; 22:142. [PMID: 34674700 PMCID: PMC8528937 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-021-00711-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the health system worldwide. The organ and tissue donation and transplantation (OTDT) system is no exception and has had to face ethical challenges related to the pandemic, such as risks of infection and resource allocation. In this setting, many Canadian transplant programs halted their activities during the first wave of the pandemic. Method To inform future ethical guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic or other public health emergencies of international concern, we conducted a literature review to summarize the ethical issues. Results This literature review identified three categories of ethical challenges. The first one describes the general ethical issues and challenges reported by OTDT organizations and transplantation programs, such as risks of COVID-19 transmission and infection to transplant recipients and healthcare professionals during the transplant process, risk of patient waitlist mortality or further resource strain where transplant procedures have been delayed or halted, and resource allocation. The second category describes ethical challenges related to informed consent in the context of uncertainty and virtual consent. Finally, the third category describes ethical issues related to organ allocation, such as social considerations in selecting transplant candidates. Conclusion This literature review highlights the salient ethical issues related to OTDT during the current COVID-19 pandemic. As medical and scientific knowledge about COVID-19 increases, the uncertainties related to this disease will decrease and the associated ethical issues will continue to evolve.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jennifer A Chandler
- Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Aviva Goldberg
- Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | - Laura Hornby
- Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Christy Simpson
- Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Department of Bioethics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Matthew-John Weiss
- Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre, Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma-Emergency-Critical Care Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada.,Transplant Québec, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - T Murray Wilson
- Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Marie-Chantal Fortin
- Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, AB, Canada. .,Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Room R12-418, 900 rue St-Denis, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada. .,Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
|
7
|
Alfishawy M, Nso N, Nassar M, Ariyaratnam J, Bhuiyan S, Siddiqui RS, Li M, Chung H, Al Balakosy A, Alqassieh A, Fülöp T, Rizzo V, Daoud A, Soliman KM. Liver transplantation during global COVID-19 pandemic. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:6608-6623. [PMID: 34447809 PMCID: PMC8362541 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i23.6608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory disease respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 has significantly impacted the health care systems globally. Liver transplantation (LT) has faced an unequivocal challenge during this unprecedented time. This targeted review aims to cover most of the clinical issues, challenges and concerns about LT during the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss the most updated literature on this rapidly emerging subject.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Alfishawy
- Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases Consultants and Academic Researchers of Egypt IDCARE, Cairo 0000, Egypt
| | - Nso Nso
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (NYC Health and Hospitals: Queens), New York, NY 11373, United States
| | - Mahmoud Nassar
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (NYC Health and Hospitals: Queens), New York, NY 11373, United States
| | - Jonathan Ariyaratnam
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (NYC Health and Hospitals: Queens), New York, NY 11373, United States
| | - Sakil Bhuiyan
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (NYC Health and Hospitals: Queens), New York, NY 11373, United States
| | - Raheel S Siddiqui
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (NYC Health and Hospitals: Queens), New York, NY 11373, United States
| | - Matthew Li
- Clinical pharmacy department, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (NYC Health and Hospitals: Queens), New York, NY 11373, United States
| | - Howard Chung
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (NYC Health and Hospitals: Queens), New York, NY 11373, United States
| | - Amira Al Balakosy
- Tropical Medicine Department, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11517, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Alqassieh
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Tibor Fülöp
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Vincent Rizzo
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (NYC Health and Hospitals: Queens), New York, NY 11373, United States
| | - Ahmed Daoud
- Department of Medicine, Kasr Alainy Medical School, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Karim M Soliman
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| |
Collapse
|
|
8
|
Hutchison AL, Pillai A. The effect of COVID-19 on liver transplantation: impact, practice patterns, therapeutics, and next steps. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2021; 26:339-345. [PMID: 33938470 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000000883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To assess the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the pandemic on liver transplant candidates, recipients, and donors, and review guidelines and recommendations for integrating COVID-19 therapies into current practice. RECENT FINDINGS COVID-19 has high morbidity and mortality for transplant candidates; interestingly, posttransplant comorbidities play a larger role than immunosuppression status. COVID-19 therapies and vaccinations are well tolerated in pre and postliver transplant patients with few exceptions, although further research is needed regarding effectiveness in this patient population. Provider practice patterns should evolve to minimize contagion during the current pandemic and prepare for an increase in liver disease due to after-shocks of missed diagnosis and progression of liver disease. SUMMARY COVID-19 has spurred new research and technologies to ensure the safety of liver transplant candidates, recipients, and donors, and most COVID-19 therapies are safe in this patient population. Further work needs to be done regarding the use of COVID-19 positive organs and the efficacy of vaccines in the transplant population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anjana Pillai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Liver Diseases, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
|
9
|
Fancellu A, Sanna V, Scognamillo F, Feo CF, Vidili G, Nigri G, Porcu A. Surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in the era of COVID-19 pandemic: A comprehensive review of current recommendations. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:3517-3530. [PMID: 34046452 PMCID: PMC8130078 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i15.3517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a global health emergency that has also caused profound changes in the treatment of cancer. The management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) across the world has been modified according to the scarcity of care resources that have been diverted mostly to face the surge of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Oncological and hepatobiliary societies have drafted recommendations regarding the adaptation of guidelines for the management of HCC to the current healthcare situation. This review focuses on specific recommendations for the surgical treatment of HCC (i.e., hepatic resection and liver transplantation), which still represents the best chance of cure for patients with very early and early HCC. While surgery should be pursued for very selected patients in institutions where standards of care are maintained, alternative or bridging methods, mostly thermoablation and transarterial therapies, can be used until surgery can be performed. The prognosis of patients with HCC largely depends on both the characteristics of the tumour and the stage of underlying liver disease. Risk stratification plays a pivotal role in determining the most appropriate treatment for each case and needs to balance the chance of cure and the risk of COVID-19 infection during hospitalization. Current recommendations have been critically reviewed to provide a reference for best practices in the clinical setting, with adaptation based on pandemic trends and categorization according to COVID-19 prevalence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Fancellu
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 2 - Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Valeria Sanna
- Unit of Medical Oncology, AOU Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Scognamillo
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 1 - Patologia Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Claudio F Feo
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 2 - Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Vidili
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of Internal Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nigri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, St. Andrea University Hospital, Rome 00189, Italy
| | - Alberto Porcu
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 2 - Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
|
10
|
Delman AM, Turner KM, Jones CR, Vaysburg DM, Silski LS, King C, Luckett K, Safdar K, Quillin RC, Shah SA. Keeping the lights on: Telehealth, testing, and 6-month outcomes for orthotopic liver transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Surgery 2021; 169:1519-1524. [PMID: 33589248 PMCID: PMC7833561 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2020.12.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has seen transplant volume decrease nationwide, resulting in a 2.2-fold increase in waitlist mortality. In particular, solid organ transplant patients are subjected to increased morbidity and mortality from infection. In the face of these challenges, transplant centers need to develop innovative protocols to ensure high-quality care. Methods A multidisciplinary protocol was developed that included the following: virtual selection meetings, coronavirus disease 2019 negative donors, pretransplant symptom screening, rapid testing on presentation, telehealth follow-up, and weekly community outreach town halls. All orthotopic liver transplants completed between January 2018 and August 2020 were included in the study (n = 344). The cohort was stratified from January 2018 to February 2020 as “pre-COVID-19,” and from March 2020 to August 2020 as “COVID-19.” Patient demographics and postoperative outcomes were compared. Results From March 2020 to August 2020, there was a significant decrease in average monthly referrals for orthotopic liver transplantation (29.8 vs 37.1, P = .01). However, listings (11.0 vs 14.3, P = .09) and transplant volume remained unchanged (12.2 vs 10.6, P = .26). Rapid testing was utilized on arrival for transplant, zero patients tested positively preoperatively, and median time from test result until abdominal incision was 4.5 h [interquartile range, 1.2, 9.2]. Simultaneously, telehealth visits increased rapidly, peaking at 85% of all visits. It is important to note that there was no difference in outcomes between cohorts. Conclusion Orthotopic liver transplant can be accomplished safely and effectively in the COVID-19 era without compromising outcomes through increasing utilization of telehealth, rapid COVID-19 testing, and multidisciplinary protocols for managing immunosuppressed patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M Delman
- Cincinnati Research on Outcomes and Safety in Surgery (CROSS) Research Group, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH. https://twitter.com/AaronDelman
| | - Kevin M Turner
- Cincinnati Research on Outcomes and Safety in Surgery (CROSS) Research Group, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH. https://twitter.com/KevinTurnerMD
| | - Courtney R Jones
- Department of Anesthesia, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Dennis M Vaysburg
- Cincinnati Research on Outcomes and Safety in Surgery (CROSS) Research Group, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH. https://twitter.com/DMVaysburg
| | - Latifa S Silski
- Cincinnati Research on Outcomes and Safety in Surgery (CROSS) Research Group, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH. https://twitter.com/LaSilski
| | - Corey King
- Cincinnati Research on Outcomes and Safety in Surgery (CROSS) Research Group, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Keith Luckett
- Division of Infectious Disease, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Kamran Safdar
- Division of Hepatology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Ralph C Quillin
- Cincinnati Research on Outcomes and Safety in Surgery (CROSS) Research Group, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Shimul A Shah
- Cincinnati Research on Outcomes and Safety in Surgery (CROSS) Research Group, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.
| |
Collapse
|
|
11
|
Ng A. Graft injury and re-transplantation in liver transplant patients with COVID-19. JOURNAL OF LIVER TRANSPLANTATION 2021; 1:100008. [PMID: 38620664 PMCID: PMC8062408 DOI: 10.1016/j.liver.2021.100008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This article discusses the current scene of liver transplantation (LT) in light of the impact of COVID-19, with particular emphasis on the possibility of graft injury and re-transplantation in LT patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. A major concern is whether such patients experience a more severe form of disease which may lead to a higher risk of acute, irreversible liver injury. If this is serious, it may necessitate re-transplantation. This article aims to raise awareness in this relatively under-researched domain. More studies are required to evaluate this issue since it has strong implications in healthcare resource allocation and clinical decision-making. Several potential research directions are proposed, including the possibility of prolonging bridging therapy for non-urgent LT cases: patients with hepatocellular carcinoma; and whether hepatoprotective agents play a role in liver-sparing during SARS-CoV-2 infection. There is also substantial discussion of the relevance of lung injury in LT patients with COVID-19 since it is not uncommon regarding the high expression of ACE2 receptors in the lungs, and that lung injury remains the major cause of death in patients with chronic liver disease.
Collapse
Key Words
- ALT, alanine transaminase
- AST, aspartate transaminase
- Abbreviations: ACE2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
- BCLC, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Staging
- COVID-19
- COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019
- DEB, drug-eluting beads
- ICU, intensive care unit
- JAK, Janus Kinus
- LT, liver transplant
- OR, odds ratio
- TACE, transarterial chemoembolization
- UDCA, Ursodeoxycholic acid
- US, United States
- chronic liver disease
- graft injury
- liver transplant
- re-transplantation
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ng
- University College London, Gower Street, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|