key: cord-0910161-6h8vue5s
authors: La Hoz, Ricardo M.; Danziger‐Isakov, Lara A.; Klassen, David K.; Michaels, Marian G.
title: Risk and reward: Balancing safety and maximizing lung donors during the COVID‐19 pandemic
date: 2021-04-07
journal: Am J Transplant
DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16575
sha: 9f505d8487f478cc4eb30656e459586554b4ab12
doc_id: 910161
cord_uid: 6h8vue5s

During the early phase of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic there was an abrupt decline in the number of transplants in the United States (1). The possibility of donor derived COVID-19 was one of the contributing factors and a consequence of the limited availability of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) donor testing. As solid organ transplant rates have returned to the pre-pandemic time despite the on-going pandemic, the optimal approach to screen solid organ donors for SARS-CoV-2 is uncertain. Ideally, donor screening should minimize the risk of disease transmission and maximize organ utilization.

COVID-19 is unlikely to be zero. We need to remain mindful that our efforts to prevent donor-derived COVID-19 in lung recipients may lead to lung organ underutilization. OPOs and transplant centers are reminded of the requirement to report all potential donor-derived COVID-19 cases to the OPTN for review as systematic investigation will inform future recommendations.

Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic: initial impacts and responses of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network in the United States

Donor to recipient transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by lung transplantation despite negative donor upper respiratory tract testing

United Network of Organ Sharing. OPO testing of deceased donors for COVID-19 ensures patient safety

Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Meeting Summaries

SARS-CoV-2 infections among recent organ recipients

Resource lists lower respiratory tract testing available