When you need to dive in the deep end—Transplanting SARS‐CoV‐2 PCR+ recipients

Abstract

There is an ongoing need to understand whether transplantation during acute Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) can be performed safely, especially when urgent transplant is required. We collected retrospective data of all consecutive non‐lung transplant recipients who had a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the day of planned deceased donor organ implantation. Data were collected from two large transplant centers from 01/01/2022 to 02/01/2023. Demographics, details regarding COVID‐19 infection, waitlist priority, and details regarding transplantation were obtained. A descriptive analysis was performed. A total of 12 patients were identified: 7 renal, 4 liver, and 1 heart transplant recipient. All 12 patients were vaccinated for COVID‐19. Ten were asymptomatic outpatients found positive on admission and transplanted immediately. Two were in‐patients with mild COVID‐19 symptoms and were reactivated on the waitlist following 3 days of remdesivir when no progression to severe COVID‐19 occurred. Most patients (10/12) received remdesivir posttransplant. No complications attributed to COVID‐19 were noted nor were any secondary family or healthcare worker infections observed. All recipients were managed with special isolation precautions befitting their potentially infectious state. Standard induction therapy was used in all recipients. After a median follow up period of 143 days (interquartile range: 96–201 days), 3 episodes of rejection were documented, 2/7 renal recipients experienced delayed graft function, and 2/4 liver recipients required renal replacement therapy. Graft and patient survival were 100%. Transplantation can safely proceed in select, minimally symptomatic, non‐lung recipients with a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 PCR at the time of transplant. image