Management of lung transplantation in the COVID-19 era-An international survey.

Abstract

It is unknown if solid organ transplant recipients are at higher risk for severe COVID-19. The management of a lung transplantation (LTx) program and the therapeutic strategies to adapt the immunosuppressive regimen and antiviral measures is a major issue in the COVID-19 era, but little is known about worldwide practice. We sent out to 180 LTx centers worldwide in June 2020 a survey with 63 questions, both regarding the management of a LTx program in the COVID-19 era and the therapeutic strategies to treat COVID-19 LTx recipients. We received a total of 78 responses from 15 countries. Among participants, 81% declared a reduction of the activity and 47% restricted LTx for urgent cases only. Sixteen centers observed deaths on waiting listed patients and eight centers performed LTx for COVID-19 disease. In 62% of the centers, COVID-19 was diagnosed in LTx recipients, most of them not severe cases. The most common immunosuppressive management included a decreased dose or pausing of the cell cycle inhibitors. Remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin were the most proposed antiviral strategies. Most of the centers have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and proposed an active therapeutic strategy to treat LTx recipients with COVID-19.

• Authors: Benjamin Coiffard, Philipp M Lepper, Eloi Prud'Homme, Florence Daviet, Nadim Cassir, Heinrike Wilkens, Sami Hraiech, Frank Langer, Pascal A Thomas, Martine Reynaud-Gaubert, Robert Bals, Hans-Joachim Schäfers, Laurent Papazian, Frederik Seiler
• Journal: American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (Am J Transplant) Vol. 21 Issue 4 Pg. 1586-1596 (04 2021) ISSN: 1600-6143 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 33084144 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2020 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

Chemical References

• Immunosuppressive Agents

Topics

• COVID-19 (diagnosis, therapy)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Lung Transplantation
• Pandemics
• Risk Factors
• Transplant Recipients
• Waiting Lists