Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Pediatric Heart Transplant Outcomes in the Era of Anti-Thymocyte Globulin Induction

Abstract

<h3>Purpose</h3> A recent multicenter pediatric study using antithymocyte globulin (ATG) induction found a reduced risk of first yr rejection in Black heart transplant (tx) recipients. We investigated this finding in the broader field and studied the effects of race and socioeconomic disparity on outcomes in ATG-induced children. <h3>Methods</h3> Using the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society registry, we compared outcomes in Black and White children 1-17 yrs old who underwent heart tx with ATG induction between 2000-2020. The primary outcomes of treated rejection, rejection with hemodynamic compromise (HC), and graft loss (death or re-transplant) were studied over 1- and 10-yr time intervals as well as late outcomes conditional on 1-yr survival<i>.</i> We explored the association of these outcomes with race and socioeconomic disparity, assessed using neighborhood deprivation index [NDI] score at 1-yr post-tx (high NDI score implies more socioeconomic disadvantage). <h3>Results</h3> The study cohort included 1719 ATG-induced pediatric heart tx recipients (23% Black, 77% White). There was no racial difference in incidence of first yr treated rejection (Black 24.5%, White 28.1%, p = 0.2). During the 10 yr follow up, the risk of treated rejection was similar between Black and White recipients; however, Black recipients were at higher risk of HC rejection (p = 0.009) and graft loss (p = 0.02, log rank test). Black recipients had a higher mean NDI score (0.43 vs 0.36, p < 0.001). A higher risk of graft loss was associated with high NDI score in both White and Black recipients (p < 0.001, Fig). In a multivariable Cox model, both high NDI score (HR 2.03, 95% CI 1.38-2.98) and Black race (HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.36-2.93) were associated with graft loss. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Black race and socioeconomic disadvantage remain associated with HC rejection and graft loss after the first post-transplant year in pediatric heart tx patients with ATG induction. These disparities represent important opportunities to improve long term tx outcomes in children.