The learning curve of COVID-19 and organ donation: Potential missed opportunities in the COVID era.

Background: Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, positive COVID-19 status often disqualified potential organ donors due to perceived risks, despite limited evidence. Subsequent studies have clarified that the COVID-19 status of donors, particularly when incidental and not the cause of death, does not adversely affect non-lung transplant outcomes. This study quantifies the potential loss of eligible organ donors and the corresponding impact on organ availability during the initial phase of the pandemic. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, we examined deceased donor referrals to a major organ procurement organization from June 2020 to January 2022. Referrals were categorized as All Referrals, Medically Ruled Out (MRO), or Procured Donors (PD). We used Chi-square tests for categorical comparisons and logistic regression to model additional donors and organs, contrasting COVID-negative and positive cases within age-matched cohorts. Results: Among 9478 referrals, 23.4 % (2221) were COVID-positive. Notably, COVID-positive referrals had a substantially higher MRO rate (80.6 % vs. 29.6 %, p < 0.01) and a markedly lower PD rate (0.2 % vs. 8.2 %, p < 0.01). Potential missed donations of 103 organs from COVID-positive referrals were identified. Conclusion: This OPO-level study demonstrates a substantial impact of COVID-19 status on organ donation rates, revealing significant missed opportunities. Improved management of donor COVID-19 status could potentially increase organ donations nationwide, taking into account evolving evidence and vaccine availability changes.

Terlipressin in combination with albumin as a therapy for hepatorenal syndrome in patients aged 65 years or older.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Clinical data for older patients with advanced liver disease are limited. This post hoc analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of terlipressin in patients aged ≥65 years with hepatorenal syndrome using data from 3 Phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled studies (OT-0401, REVERSE, CONFIRM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The pooled population of patients aged ≥65 years (terlipressin, n = 54; placebo, n = 36) was evaluated for hepatorenal syndrome reversal-defined as a serum creatinine level ≤1.5 mg/dL (≤132.6 µmol/L) while receiving terlipressin or placebo, without renal replacement therapy, liver transplantation, or death-and the incidence of renal replacement therapy (RRT). Safety analyses included an assessment of adverse events. RESULTS: Hepatorenal syndrome reversal was almost 2-times higher in terlipressin-treated patients compared with patients who received placebo (31.5% vs 16.7%; P = 0.143). Among surviving patients, the need for RRT was significantly reduced in the terlipressin group, with an almost 3-times lower incidence of RRT versus the placebo group (Day 90: 25.0% vs 70.6%; P = 0.005). Among 23 liver-transplant-listed patients, significantly fewer patients in the terlipressin versus placebo group needed RRT by Days 30 and 60 (P = 0.027 each). Fewer patients in the terlipressin group needed RRT post-transplant (P = 0.011). More terlipressin-treated patients who were listed for and received a liver transplant were alive and RRT-free by Day 90. No new safety signals were revealed in the older subpopulation compared with previously published data. CONCLUSIONS: Terlipressin therapy may lead to clinical improvements in highly vulnerable patients aged ≥65 years with hepatorenal syndrome. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBERS: OT-0401, NCT00089570; REVERSE, NCT01143246; CONFIRM, NCT02770716.