A Single-Center Experience with Lung Transplants During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND This single-center study analyzed distinctions between lung transplants performed in the Department of Cardiac and Vascular surgery of the University Clinical Center in Gdansk, Poland before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS There were 189 patients who underwent the qualification procedure to lung transplantation in the Department of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery of the University Clinical Center in Gdansk, Poland in the years 2019 and 2020. The control group consisted of 12 patients transplanted in 2019, and the study group consisted of 16 patients transplanted in 2020. RESULTS During 2019, the qualification process was performed in 102 patients with pulmonary end-stage diseases. In 2020, despite the 3-month lockdown related to organizational changes in the hospital, 87 qualification processes were performed. The mortality rate of patients on the waiting list in 2020 was 14.3% (6 patients died), and during 2019 the rate was also 14.3% (4 patients died). Donor qualifications were according to ISHLT criteria. The distribution of donors in both years was similar. There was no relationship between the geographic area of residence and source of donors. In 2019, all 12 patients had double-lung transplant. In 2020, 11 patients had double-lung transplant and 5 patients had single-lung transplant. There was no difference in ventilation time and PGD aside from a shorter ICU stay in 2020. CONCLUSIONS Lung transplants were relatively well-conducted despite the continued obstacles of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Geographic Differences in Lung Transplant Volume and Donor Availability During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Regional variation in lung transplantation practices due to local coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevalence may cause geographic disparities in access to lung transplantation. METHODS: Using the United Network for Organ Sharing registry, we conducted a descriptive analysis of lung transplant volume, donor lung volume, new waitlist activations, and waiting list deaths at high-volume lung transplant centers during the first 3 months of the pandemic (March 1. 2020, to May 30, 2020) and we compared it to the same period in the preceding 5 years. RESULTS: Lung transplant volume decreased by 10% nationally and by a median of 50% in high COVID-19 prevalence centers (range -87% to 80%) compared with a median increase of 10% (range -87% to 80%) in low prevalence centers (P-for-trend 0.006). Donation services areas with high COVID-19 prevalence experienced a greater decrease in organ availability (-28% range, -72% to -11%) compared with low prevalence areas (+7%, range -20% to + 55%, P-for-trend 0.001). Waiting list activations decreased at 18 of 22 centers. Waiting list deaths were similar to the preceding 5 years and independent of local COVID-19 prevalence (P-for-trend 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: Regional variation in transplantation and donor availability in the early months of the pandemic varied by local COVID-19 activity.

Trends in Lung Transplantation Practices Across the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on adult lung transplants and report practice changes in the United States. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a public dataset from the United Network for Organ Sharing was performed regarding adult lung transplantation (January 19, 2020-June 30, 2020). Data were stratified into 3 periods: pre-COVID-19 (January 19, 2020-March 14, 2020), first COVID-19 era (March 15, 2020-May 8, 2020), and second COVID-19 era (May 9, 2020-June 30, 2020). Weekly changes in waitlist inactivations (COVID-19 precautions or not), waitlist additions, transplant volume, and donor recovery were examined across eras and changes across era were correlated. RESULTS: During the first COVID-19 era, 301 patients were added to the waitlist, representing a 40% decrease when compared to the prior 8-week period. This was followed by a significant increase in listing during the second COVID-19 era (t = 2.16, P = 0.032). Waitlist inactivations decreased in the second COVID-19 era from the first COVID-19 era (t = 3.60, P < 0.001). There was no difference in waitlist inactivations between the pre-COVID era and the second COVID-19 era (P = 0.10). Weekly volume was not associated with trends in COVID-19 cases across any era, but was negatively associated with waitlist inactivations due to COVID-19 precautions entering the first COVID-19 era (r = -0.73, P = 0.04) and second COVID-19 era (r = -0.89, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States experienced a decrease in lung transplant volume. While overall volume has returned to normal, additional studies are needed to identify areas of improvement to better prepare for future pandemics.

Impact of COVID-19 on Lung Transplant Activity in Germany-A Cross-Sectional Survey.

The current COVID-19 pandemia affects health care systems worldwide, however, to a variable extent depending on the caseload in each country. We aimed to provide a cross-sectional overview of current limitations or adaptions in lung transplant programs in Germany in from January to May 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. A cross-sectional survey assessing various aspects of lung transplant activity was sent to all active lung transplant programs (n = 12) in Germany. Eight centers (66%) responded to the survey within the requested time frame. Four centers (50%) reported their activity is not restricted at all and four centers (50%) reported on moderate general limitations. The overall lung transplant activity in Germany from January to May 2020 contains 128 bilateral and 11 single lung transplantations, which is similar to the same period in the year 2019 (126 bilateral transplantations and 12 single lung transplantations). The results suggest that the influence of the COVID-19 pandemia on lung transplantation activity in Germany has been moderate so far. Nevertheless, adaptions such as extensive testing of donors and recipients were introduced to reduce the likelihood of infections and increase patient safety. Alertness to changes in COVID-19 reproduction rates might be required until effective antiviral therapy or vaccination is available.

Current precautions and future directions in lung transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic - a single center cohort study.

The unprecedented public health emergency caused by the acute viral respiratory coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has drastically changed current practices in solid organ transplantation, markedly so for transplantation of the lungs, the major target of the virus. Although national and state authorities do not recommend postponing transplant procedures, most specialists are reluctant to proceed due to substantial uncertainty and increased risks in the midst of the pandemic. There is an urgent need for evidence-based directions to move forward. Here, we offer our insights as specialists at a high-volume center located in a geographical area with high infection rates.