Risk assessments of organ donation and procurement during COVID-19 pandemic / 中华器官移植杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the clinical evaluation outcomes of COVID-19 risk assessment scale on organ donation and procurement during the pandemic of novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) and reduce the incidence of donor-derived infection and medical staff infection.Methods:From January 20 to February 29 in 2020, the organ procurement team adopted the COVID-19 risk assessment scale for evaluating 8 potential donors. They were classified into the levels of high/low/uncertain risk by analyzing the risk levels of donation hospitals, clinical characteristics and exposure history. The coordinators, organ evaluators and ward medical staff adopted essential protective measures. The infection status of 2019-nCoV in the above mentioned staff was examined and graft function in the corresponding recipients were observed.Results:Based upon the COVID-19 risk assessment results, the risk level was high (n=8), low (n=5) and uncertain (n=2) and underwent organ procurement. A total of 19 grafts including liver, kidney, pancreas and heart were harvested and successfully utilized for organ transplantation. During the observation period of 14 days, there was no suspected or confirmed infection of 2019-nCoV among coordinators and medical staff. No graft dysfunction or acute rejection was observed during a follow-up period of 4 to 30 days. No recipient was suspected or confirmed to be infected with 2019-nCoV and 6 of them were negative for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid testing after organ transplantation.Conclusions:During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is safe to proceed with donor organ evaluations and procurements according to the result with the COVID-19 risk assessment scale. Low-risk donor organ donation may be carried out, uncertain risk donor organ donation should be performed cautiously and high-risk donations discouraged.