Immediate impact of COVID-19 on transplant activity in the Netherlands

Vries, A.P.J. de; Alwayn, I.P.J.; Hoek, R.A.S.; Berg, A.P. van den; Ultee, F.C.W.; Vogelaar, S.M.; ... ; Reinders, M.E.J. (2020)

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The rapid emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and poses an unparalleled obstacle in the sixty-five year history of organ transplantation. Worldwide, the delivery of transplant care is severely challenged by matters concerning - but not limited to - organ procurement, risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, screening strategies of donors and recipients, decisions to postpone or proceed with transplantation, the attributable risk of immunosuppression for COVID-19 and entrenched health care resources and capacity. The transplant community is faced with choosing a lesser of two evils: initiating immunosuppression and potentially accepting detrimental outcome when transplant recipients develop COVID-19 versus postponing transplantation and accepting associated waitlist mortality. Notably, prioritization of health care services for COVID-19 care raises concerns about allocation of resources to deliver care for transplant patients who might otherwise have excellent 1-year and 10-year survival rates. Children and young adults with end-stage organ disease in particular seem more disadvantaged by withholding transplantation because of capacity issues than from medical consequences of SARS-CoV-2. This report details the nationwide response of the Dutch transplant community to these issues and the immediate consequences for transplant activity. Worrisome, there was a significant decrease in organ donation numbers affecting all organ transplant services. In addition, there was a detrimental effect on transplantation numbers in children with end-organ failure. Ongoing efforts focus on mitigation of not only primary but also secondary harm of the pandemic and to find right definitions and momentum to restore the transplant programs.

• COVID-19
• SARS-CoV-2
• Outbreak
• Transplantation
• Transplant programs

• All authors: Vries, A.P.J. de; Alwayn, I.P.J.; Hoek, R.A.S.; Berg, A.P. van den; Ultee, F.C.W.; Vogelaar, S.M.; Haase-Kromwijk, B.J.J.M.; Heemskerk, M.B.A.; Hemke, A.C.; Nijboer, W.N.; Schaefer, B.S.; Kuiper, M.A.; Jonge, J. de; Kaaij, N.P. van der; Reinders, M.E.J.
• Date: 2020-08-01
• Title of host publication: Transplant Immunology
• Volume: 61
• DOI: doi:10.1016/j.trim.2020.101304
• Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966327420300782?via%...