Organ transplantation plunged by 51.1% amid coronavirus pandemic

The number of organ transplantation plunged by 51.1% amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new study published in The Lancet.

New research highlights the dramatic decline in the number of organ transplantation. Findings revealed that the number of deceased donor organ transplants in April fell by 51.1% in the US and 90.6% in France when compared to a month earlier.

Moreover, kidney transplantation recorded the biggest drop in numbers. Heart, lung and liver transplantation also showed significant declines, according to the authors.

The study covers combined organ procurement data from federal agencies in the two countries.

"We noted a strong temporal association between the increase in COVID-19 infections and a striking reduction in overall solid-organ transplantation procedures," the researchers said.

Researchers believe that the cause of the decline could be the potential exposure of transplant recipients to infection.

Limited medical supplies

Researchers point out that there are not enough resources in terms of medical personnel or medical equipment in hospitals to treat patients after transplantation.

According to the authors, decisions about utilizing limited medical resources "could be especially devastating for the thousands of patients in need of an organ transplant."

"While living donor organ transplants could presumably be rescheduled for a future date, deceased donor organs must be procured immediately or the opportunity is lost."

The study did not present a strong link between low organ transplantation rates and COVID-19 hotspots. The team suggests a global and nationwide effect beyond local infections.

“Our findings point to the far-reaching and severe ripple effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on health care, including lifesaving organ transplants,” said study co-author Dr. Peter Reese, an associate professor of medicine and epidemiology at Penn.

Meanwhile, patients who need organ transplants often are at critical organ failure, the final and irreversible phase in organ damage.

Data showed that around 40,000 patients in the US receive an organ transplant annually, However, 120,000 patients are stuck on a waiting list for transplantation. Researchers note that 7,600 individuals are dying every year while waiting for an organ transplant.

“These international comparisons of transplant activity will be very important as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves,” said co-author Dr. Alexandre Loupy, a nephrologist at the Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation at Necker Hospital in Paris and head of the Paris Transplant Group.

Transplantation standards

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that "the procurement of organs for transplantation involves the removal of organs from the bodies of deceased persons. This removal must follow legal requirements, including the definition of death and consent."

The international organization notes that selected living donors with good health coverage that donate kidneys pose negligible risks. "This can only be ensured through rigorous selection procedures, careful surgical nephrectomy and follow up of the donor to ensure the optimal management of untoward consequences," WHO states on its website.

Meanwhile, the Transplantation Society abides by a consensus statement on the treatment of the live kidney donor. This consensus statement details the responsibility of the public for living donors.

Also included are the responsibilities of the transplant center, including long-term follow up of living kidney donors and their treatment.