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.
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.
Authors: Gabriel Putzer; Lukas Gasteiger; Simon Mathis; Arjan van Enckevort; Tobias Hell; Thomas Resch; Stefan Schneeberger; Judith Martini Journal: Transplantation Date: 2022-04-11 Impact factor: 5.385
Authors: Luke Benvenuto; Mark E Snyder; Meghan Aversa; Shreena Patel; Joseph Costa; Lori Shah; Hilary Robbins; Frank D'Ovidio; Joshua Sonett; Bryan P Stanifer; Philippe Lemaitre; Selim Arcasoy; Michaela R Anderson Journal: Transplantation Date: 2021-04-01 Impact factor: 5.385
Authors: Christian Lang; Valentin Ritschl; Florian Augustin; Gyoergy Lang; Bernhard Moser; Shahrokh Taghavi; Gabriella Murakoezy; Christopher Lambers; Holger Flick; Markus Koestenberger; Roxane Brooks; Tina Muhr; Johann Knotzer; Daniel Mydza; Marc Kaufmann; Thomas Staudinger; Christian Zauner; Claus Krenn; Eva Schaden; Andreas Bacher; Bernhard Rössler; Peter Faybik; Edda Tschernko; Maria Anwar; Klaus Markstaller; Daniel Höfer; Tanja Stamm; Peter Jaksch; Konrad Hoetzenecker Journal: Eur Respir J Date: 2022-03-17 Impact factor: 33.795
Authors: Clémence Martin; Camille Legeai; Lucile Regard; Christelle Cantrelle; Richard Dorent; Nicolas Carlier; François Kerbaul; Pierre-Régis Burgel Journal: Am J Respir Crit Care Med Date: 2022-03-01 Impact factor: 21.405