National Transplant Research Articles

Lung Donation and Transplant Recipient Outcomes at Independent vs Hospital-Based Donor Care Units

Centralizing deceased organ donor management and organ recovery into donor care units (DCUs) may mitigate the critical organ shortage by positively impacting donation and recipient outcomes. To compare donation and lung transplant outcomes between 2 common DCU models: independent (outside of acute-care hospitals) and hospital-based. This is a retrospective cohort study of Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network deceased donor registry and lung transplant recipient files from 21 US donor service areas with an operating DCU. Characteristics and lung donation rates among deceased donors cared for in independent vs hospital-based DCUs were compared. Eligible participants included deceased organ donors (aged 16 years and older) after brain death, who underwent organ recovery procedures between April 26, 2017, and June 30, 2022, and patients who received lung transplants from those donors. Data analysis was conducted from May 2023 to March 2024. Organ recovery in an independent DCU (vs hospital-based DCU). The primary outcome was duration of transplanted lung survival (through December 31, 2023) among recipients of lung(s) transplanted from cohort donors. A Cox proportional hazards model stratified by transplant year and program, adjusting for donor and recipient characteristics was used to compare graft survival. Of 10 856 donors in the starting sample (mean [SD] age, 42.8 [15.2] years; 6625 male [61.0%] and 4231 female [39.0%]), 5149 (primary comparison group) underwent recovery procedures in DCUs including 1466 (28.4%) in 11 hospital-based DCUs and 3683 (71.5%) in 10 independent DCUs. Unadjusted lung donation rates were higher in DCUs than local hospitals, but lower in hospital-based vs independent DCUs (418 donors [28.5%] vs 1233 donors [33.5%]; P < .001). Among 1657 transplant recipients, 1250 (74.5%) received lung(s) from independent DCUs. Median (range) duration of follow-up after transplant was 734 (0-2292) days. Grafts recovered from independent DCUs had shorter restricted mean (SE) survival times than grafts from hospital-based DCUs (1548 [27] days vs 1665 [50] days; P = .04). After adjustment, graft failure remained higher among lungs recovered from independent DCUs than hospital-based DCUs (hazard ratio, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.28-2.65). In this retrospective analysis of national donor and transplant recipient data, although lung donation rates were higher from deceased organ donors after brain death cared for in independent DCUs, lungs recovered from donors in hospital-based DCUs survived longer. These findings suggest that further work is necessary to understand which factors (eg, donor transfer, management, or lung evaluation and acceptance practices) differ between DCU models and may contribute to these differences.

Neighborhood-level Social Determinants of Health and Waitlist Mortality for Liver Transplantation: The Liver Outcomes and Equity Index.

To examine neighborhood-level disparities in waitlist mortality for adult liver transplantation (LT), we developed novel area-based social determinants of health (SDOH) index using a national transplant database. ZIP Codes of individuals listed for or received LT in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database between June 18, 2013, and May 18, 2019, were linked to 36 American Community Survey (ACS) variables across 5 SDOH domains for index development. A step-wise principal component analysis was used to construct the Liver Outcomes and Equity (LOEq) index. We then examined the association between LOEq quintiles (Q1 = worst and Q5 = best neighborhood SDOH) and waitlist mortality with competing risk regression among listed adults in the study period and acuity circle (AC) era. The final LOEq index consisted of 13 ACS variables. Of 59 298 adults waitlisted for LT, 30% resided in LOEq Q5 compared with only 14% in Q1. Q1 neighborhoods with worse SDOH were disproportionately concentrated in transplant regions with low median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease at transplant (MMAT) and shorter wait times. Five years cumulative incidence of waitlist mortality was 33% in Q1 in high MMAT regions versus 16% in Q5 in low MMAT regions. Despite this allocation advantage, LOEq Q1-Q4 were independently associated with elevated risk of waitlist mortality compared with Q5, with highest increased hazard of waitlist deaths of 19% (95% CI, 11%-26%) in Q1. This disparity persisted in the AC era, with 24% (95% CI, 10%-40%) increased hazard of waitlist deaths for Q1 versus Q5. Neighborhood SDOH independently predicts waitlist mortality in adult LT.

The Impact of Donor Body Mass Index on Safety and Outcomes in Living Donor Liver Transplantation: An Analysis of the National United States Database.

The prevalence of obesity is rising in the general population. Donor obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) may potentially reduce the donor pool and impact outcomes in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We utilized the national transplant database to investigate the impact of donor obesity on donor and recipient outcomes. This was a retrospective cohort study of all LDLTs performed in the United States between January 2010 and June 2023. Outcomes of interest were analyzed by univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Patient and graft survival was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional analysis. Six hundred seventy-four donors with obesity and 3498 donors without obesity were analyzed. Donors with obesity had higher rates of readmission within 1 y of donation (15.9% versus 11.6%; P = 0.003). The risk of readmission was significantly different between 6 wk and 6 mo of donation (8.8% versus 5.9%; P = 0.036). Donor body mass index (odds ratio [OR], 1.460; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.129-1.999; P = 0.004) and preoperative alkaline phosphatase levels (OR, 1.005; 95% CI, 1.000-1.011; P = 0.038) were independent predictors of donor readmission. High LDLT center volume was associated with reduced odds of donor readmission (OR, 0.509; 95% CI, 0.373-0.694; P < 0.001). Graft and recipient survival was comparable. Selection of living donors with obesity may be a potential avenue to increase the available donor pool without compromising recipient outcomes; however, they are at an increased risk for readmission between 6 wk and 6 mo of donation. The reason for readmission requires further study.

Abnormal Liver Biopsies of Donor Grafts in Pediatric Liver Transplantation: How Do They Fare?

BACKGROUND Little is known about outcomes of pediatric patients transplanted using donor liver grafts with abnormal biopsy results. We assessed donor liver biopsy data to report characteristics and outcomes of abnormal livers transplanted in pediatric patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS We identified pediatric patients who received a liver transplant from a biopsied deceased donor between 2015 and 2022 using the national database UNOS Standard Transplant Analysis and Research files. Recipients were excluded if they received multi-organ transplants or were lost to follow-up. Livers with ≤5% macrosteatosis, no fibrosis, and no inflammation were classified as normal livers (NL). Allografts with >5% macrosteatosis, any fibrosis, or any inflammation were considered abnormal livers (AL). Donor and recipient demographic data and outcomes were examined. RESULTS Of the 3808 total pediatric liver transplants in the study period, there were 213 biopsied donor liver allografts transplanted into pediatric recipients. Of those, 114 were NL and 99 were AL. 35.4% (35/99) of the AL had >5% macrosteatosis with a mean of 7.6±11.4%, 64.6% (64/99) had any inflammation, and 18.2% (18/99) had any fibrosis. AL donors were significantly older than NL donors. AL recipients had higher PELD scores. There were no significant differences in length of stay, rejection rates and causes, or allograft survival between AL and NL. Multivariable analysis revealed that inflammation was independently associated with a significantly greater risk for graft failure. CONCLUSIONS Outcomes of abnormal livers are excellent. Inflammation was an independent risk factor for poor graft prognosis. Donor biopsies in pediatric liver transplantation can be a useful adjunct to assess outcomes.

High malignancy rate in the absence of viral prophylaxis after kidney transplantation in Sudan.

Kidney transplantation in Sudan is funded by the government. Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis is provided for patients who receive biological induction or have recipient-negative donor-positive cytomegalovirus serology. Doctor Selma Center for Kidney Diseases joined the national kidney transplant program in May 2019. Since then, we observed the frequent occurrence of cancer in patients who received modest immunosuppression without viral prophylaxis. We retrospectively divided kidney transplant recipients between 2019 and 2021 into two groups according to cytomegalovirus prophylaxis and compared tumor occurrence rates. The first group included 77 patients who did not receivebiological induction or cytomegalovirus prophylaxis. The second group included 92 patients who received valganciclovir for 3-6months. There was no other antiviral treatment except entecavir for chronic hepatitis B virus infection in eight patients. Five patients in the first group developed malignancy. The first patient presented eight months post-transplant with Kaposi sarcoma of the stomach and responded to treatment with sirolimus. The second patient presented nine months post-transplant with cutaneous Kaposi sarcoma and also responded to sirolimus. Two patients presented two and four months post-transplant with aggressive non-cutaneous Kaposi sarcoma that involved the gastrointestinal tract and lymphatic system and died soon afterwards. The fifth patient presented three years post-transplant with non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the duodenum and is currently receiving chemotherapy. Malignancy rate (6.5% vs 0.0%, P = 0.02) and Kaposi sarcoma rate (5.2% vs 0.0%, P = 0.04) were significantly higher in the first group. In Sudan, omitting valganciclovir prophylaxis after kidney transplantation was associated with a high rate of virus-induced malignancy.

The impact of MELD exception points for hydrothorax on posttransplant mortality: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Hepatic hydrothorax is a challenging complication of end-stage liver disease, and.patients with this complication can receive model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) exception points if they meet specific criteria as defined by United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). This research aimed to analyze the effect of receiving MELD exception points for hepatic hydrothorax on posttransplant mortality, using a national transplant database. Patients >18 years in the UNOS database awaiting liver transplant between 2012 and 2023 were identified based on their petition for MELD exception points. Using a 1: 1 propensity score-matched analysis, 302 patients who received MELD exception points for hepatic hydrothorax were compared with 302 patients who did not receive MELD exception points.Demographic, clinical and laboratory values were compared. The primary outcome was posttransplant mortality. Multivariate logistic regression controlled for potential confounders. No significant difference was observed in mean age (58.20 vs 57.62 years), mean initial MELD score (16.93 vs 16.54), or mean Child-Pugh score (9.77 vs 9.74) in patients with hepatic hydrothorax receiving MELD exception points versus their matched cohort who did not recieve exception points. The proportion of males was slightly higher among patients who received MELD exception points (57.6% males vs 53.6% males). A majority of patients in both groups had Child-Pugh grade C (>56%). Patients receiving MELD exception points for hepatic hydrothorax had a statistically significant 44% decrease in the odds of posttransplant death compared to those who did not (OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.37-0.88; P = 0.01). Among the combined cohort, each year increase in age resulted in a 3.9% increase in mortality (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01-1.07; P = 0.005), and every one-unit increase in serum creatinine resulted in a 40% increase in mortality (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.03-1.92; P = 0.03). Receiving MELD exception points for hepatic hydrothorax is associated with a significant reduction in the odds of posttransplant mortality. These findings underscore the importance of MELD exception points for hepatic hydrothorax among patients with decompensated cirrhosis, potentially improving patient prioritization for liver transplantation and influencing clinical decision-making.

Approaches to managing the list of patients waiting for kidney transplantation

Objective: Describe an overview of the management of the list of patients waiting for a kidney transplant in the world and propose a model for the management of the list of patients waiting for a kidney transplant in Vietnam. Methods: Literature review and analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in managing the list of patients waiting for a kidney transplant. Results: The model of managing the list of patients waiting for a kidney transplant in America, Europe, Japan, and China has many similarities. The management of the list of patients waiting for a kidney transplant is unified nationwide. Patients can only receive a kidney transplant when their name is on the national transplant waiting list. Only one organization is allowed to distribute kidney transplants based on the compatibility between donor and recipient. Vietnam has performed 7,380 kidney transplants, however, up to now, Vietnam still hasn't had a national list of patients waiting for kidney transplants. The models of managing patients waiting for kidney transplants of America and Japan have many advantages, as well as China’s management experience, which is suitable for Vietnam’s oriented development. Conclusions: Managing the list of patients waiting for a kidney transplant according to the models of America, Japan and learning from China’s experience is considered a suitable direction for the model of the national list of patients waiting for kidney transplants in Vietnam.

#1678 The relationship between national dialysis catheter rates and kidney transplantations

Abstract Background and Aims Vascular access for chronic hemodialysis is either achieved by an arteriovenous fistula or graft (AVF/G) or central venous catheter (CVC) and AVF/Gs have been repeatedly reported to be superior to CVCs and guidelines usually recommend it as the preferred vascular access. AVF/Gs are associated with better quality of dialysis, less complications, and a lower mortality than CVCs. This has led to initiatives such as Fistula First that aimed at maximizing AVF/Gs rates and national healthcare systems now frequently evaluate their efficiency of care for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients based on this metric. However, transplant activity might be a significant confounding factor since high transplant rates and therefore limited transition phases might contribute to a higher acceptance of CVCs in patients awaiting kidney transplantation. I aimed at investigating the relationship between CVC rates and transplant activity in different countries by analyzing data from national dialysis and transplant registries. Method Data was obtained from national transplant and dialysis registries including Argentina (2012-2021), Australia (2004-2022), Austria (2005-2022), New Zealand (2005-2022), Sweden (2011-2022), Turkey (2004-2022), and the USA (2012-2021). Population estimates were obtained from the World Bank. The conducted analyses included unadjusted correlation analysis as well as multivariate regression analysis. Results The study sample included data from 7 different countries spanning from North and South America, over Europe and Asia to Oceania covering data from 107 annual reports. CVC rates and transplant activity per million showed a weak positive correlation (0.283, 95% CI: 0.093–0.454) within the same year (Fig. 1). When correlating catheter rates with transplant activity of the previous year, the association increased slightly (0.357, 95% CI: 0.173–0.517). The change of incidence of ESRD or hemodialysis patients (depending on data availability) showed a moderate correlation with the change of catheter rates (0.507, 95% CI: 0.272-0.685). A regression model including the incidence of ESRD improved model fit compared to a model that uses only transplant activity to estimate catheter rates. Conclusion Even though most healthcare systems, clinicians, and epidemiologists recommend low CVC rates, a thorough evaluation of the care of ESRD patients requires the adjustment of several contributing factors, primarily kidney transplantation activity. Higher kidney transplantation rates are associated with higher CVC rates which might be due to reduced waiting times until transplantation. An increase in kidney transplantations might especially increase CVC-based dialysis in the subsequent year. There is some evidence that the incidence of ESRD in general or hemodialysis in specific additionally affects CVC rates. Increasing incidence of ESRD is associated with increasing catheter rates, indicating that healthcare systems might struggle to adapt to short-term changes regarding access demands.

#593 Prevalence and outcomes of tuberculous peritonitis among CAPD patients in National Kidney and Transplant Institute from January 2016 to January 2023

Abstract Background Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis is a cost effective and efficient modality of renal replacement therapy. However, infectious processes such as peritonitis may lead to peritoneal membrane failure necessitating shift to hemodialysis. Tuberculous peritonitis is an unusual cause of peritonitis, which may lead to risk of hospitalization and significant morbidity and mortality. Aims To determine the prevalence and outcomes of tuberculous peritonitis among patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis Method A retrospective, descriptive study of patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis with tuberculous peritonitis from January 2016 to January 2023 in National Kidney and Transplant Institute. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data of patients with TB peritonitis were collected via chart review. Results Among 1182 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, 2.03% had tuberculous peritonitis. Average length of time from development of symptoms to diagnosis is 24.5 days. Majority of presenting symptoms were hazy drain and abdominal pain. 66.7% retained their peritoneal dialysis catheter. PD catheter was removed in 33% of TB peritonitis due to peritoneal dialysis failure and unresolving peritonitis. Mortality was 37.5% after diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis. Only significant factor associated with mortality was length of time on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis to development of TB peritonitis (p = 0.0332). Conclusion Relative high prevalence of tuberculous peritonitis could be related to high background occurrence of tuberculosis in the country. Majority of cases had resolution of symptoms and effective dialysis during course of anti-tuberculous treatment and did not warrant peritoneal dialysis catheter removal.

#1023 Patient outcomes and graft survival among kidney transplant recipients with chronic hepatitis C infection: a single center study

Abstract Background and Aims Previous studies have shown that kidney transplant_(KT) recipients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection have lower survival rates after transplantation. With the emergence of direct-acting antiviral therapy for HCV infection, the long-term outcomes for these patients are still unknown. This aims to evaluate the 5-year graft and patient outcomes of kidney transplant recipients with HCV infection at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. Method A retrospective cohort study of HCV-positive KT recipients which were compared to HCV-negative patients in the same post-transplantation period. Data gathered from the patient's in-hospital and outpatient records and MEDSYS database. Results Twelve(12) out of 117 KT recipients with HCV infection were included. Half of these patients had detectable HCV RNA before KT. There was no difference in recipients' age, gender, and donor type between the groups. HCV infection is significantly associated with and an independent predictor of graft loss, rejection, and mortality. Patient survival between groups did not show any significant difference. Rates of graft rejection, graft loss, and patient mortality among HCV-positive recipients did not show statistically significant difference between groups. Graft survival rates at 6 months, 1-, 3-, and 5 years post KT were significantly lower among HCV-positive KT recipients compared to HCV-negative recipients. There were no significant differences in renal function, presence of proteinuria, liver enzyme levels, and incidence of cirrhosis between the groups. Conclusion Graft survival was shorter in HCV-positive KT recipients. Patient survival, measures of kidney function, and liver-related complications were similar between HCV-positive and HCV-negative KT recipients after transplantation.

#1645 The role of donor Cystatin-C in posttransplant outcomes in kidney transplantation

Abstract Background and Aims Cystatin-C is an established marker of glomerular filtration rate in kidney disease. High levels of cystatin-C have been associated with unfavorable outcomes (acute kidney injury, cardiovascular morbidity) in critically ill patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of Cystatin-C in donors after brain (DBD) and circulatory death (DCD) and investigate its association with posttransplant graft function. Method Plasma samples from 303 donors (283 deceased, 20 living donors; LD) were obtained from the Quality in Organ Donation (QUOD) and the Oxford Transplant (OTB) biobanks. QUOD is a national multi-center UK wide bioresource of deceased donor clinical samples collected during donor management and organ procurement. OTB is a living donor biobank established to obtain clinical samples as control cohorts. Only deceased donors with both grafts transplanted were included in the study. Plasma Cystatin-C from LD samples as assessed as an optimal control group. The samples were linked to donor and recipient metadata obtained from the National Transplant Registry (NHSBT). Using Luminex assays, plasma Cystatin-C was quantified in samples collected during donor management (prior to cross clamp in DBDs and LDs and at withdrawal of support in DCDs). We performed descriptive statistics and multivariate linear and logistic analysis to determine the association between Cystatin-C, primary non-function (PNF), delayed graft function (DGF), acute rejection (AR) and 12-month posttransplant graft function. Results Among 303 donors (median age: 50 years), 126 were DCDs, 157 DBDs (20.1% of them were expanded criteria donors, ECD) and 20 LDs. ECDs and DCDs had significantly higher levels of Cystatin-C, compared to DBDs. In a total of 606 recipients, 11 (1.9%) developed PNF, and 128 (21%) developed DGF (24 as pairs, 80 non-pairs). Forty-six recipients (7.6%) experienced at least one AR episode and 60 (10%) donors had lost the graft during follow-up. Donor levels of Cystatin-C were associated with DGF and were further elevated in donors of kidneys which developed PNF (P-value &amp;lt; .0001, Fig. 1). Grafts with acute rejections were retrieved from donors with higher levels of Cystatin-C, but the difference did not meet statistical significance. Cystatin-C levels were significantly lower (P-value &amp;lt; .0001) in donors who offered concordant grafts with optimal 12-month post-transplant function (eGFR &amp;gt;60 ml/min), compared with grafts with intermediate function (GFR 30-60 ml/min) or eGFR &amp;lt;30ml/min (Fig. 2). LDs had significantly lower levels of Cystatin-C compared to deceased donors in all studied outcomes (Figs 1 and 2). Cystatin-C during donor management was an independent risk factor for inferior 12-month paired graft function, after the implementation of three different multivariate models, including donor (β-coef = −11.3, P-value = .001), recipient (β-coef = −16, P-value &amp;lt; .001) and post-transplant characteristics (β-coef = −13.1, P-value = .002). Conclusion In a large cohort of deceased and living donors, we were able to evaluate the circulating levels of Cystatin-C during donor management with the use of high-end performance technology. The concentration of Cystatin-C was notably different among donor types and was significantly higher in donors with kidneys that developed PNF or had suboptimal graft function 12-month posttransplant. Our findings suggest that Cystatin-C may have a role in identifying higher-risk donors during donor management and offers the opportunity for granular assessment of donor kidney quality prior to transplantation.

Immunosuppression in liver transplant oncology: position paper of the Italian Board of Experts in Liver Transplantation (I-BELT).

Liver transplant oncology (TO) represents an area of increasing clinical and scientific interest including a heterogeneous group of clinical-pathological settings. Immunosuppressive management after LT is a key factor relevantly impacting result. However, disease-related guidance is still lacking, and many open questions remain in the field. Based on such a substantial lack of solid evidences, the Italian Board of Experts in Liver Transplantation (I-BELT) (a working group including representatives of all national transplant centers), unprecedently promoted a methodologically sound consensus conference on the topic, based on the GRADE approach. The group final recommendations are herein presented and commented. The 18 PICOs and Statements and their levels of evidence and grades of recommendation are reported and grouped into seven areas: (1) risk stratification by histopathological and bio-molecular parameters and role of mTORi post-LT; (2) steroids and HCC recurrence; (3) management of immunosuppression when HCC recurs after LT; (4) mTORi monotherapy; (5) machine perfusion and HCC recurrence after LT; (6) physiopathology of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and immunosuppression, the role of inflammation; (7) immunotherapy in liver transplanted patients. The interest in mammalian targets of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi), for steroid avoidance and the need for a reduction to CNI exposure emerged from the consensus process. A selected list of unmet needs prompting further investigations have also been developed. The so far heterogeneous and granular approach to immunosuppression in oncologic patients deserves greater efforts for a more standardized therapeutic response to the different clinical scenarios. This consensus process makes a first unprecedented step in this direction, to be developed on a larger scale.

Examining a 12-year experience within Kazakhstan’s national heart transplantation program

Kazakhstan has one of the lowest heart transplantation (HTx) rates globally, but there are no studies evaluating the outcomes of HTx. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the national HTx program over a 12-year period (2012–2023). Survival analysis of the national HTx cohort was conducted using life tables, Kaplan‒Meier curves, and Cox regression methods. Time series analysis was applied to analyze historical trends in HTx per million population (pmp) and to make future projections until 2030. The number of patients awaiting HTx in Kazakhstan was evaluated with a regional breakdown. The pmp rates of HTx ranged from 0.06 to 1.08, with no discernible increasing trend. Survival analysis revealed a rapid decrease in the first year after HTx, reaching 77.0% at 379 days, with an overall survival rate of 58.1% at the end of the follow-up period. Among the various factors analyzed, recipient blood levels of creatinine and total bilirubin before surgery, as well as the presence of infection or sepsis and the use of ECMO after surgery, were found to be significant contributors to the survival of HTx patients. There is a need for public health action to improve the HTx programme.

Analysis of UNOS: Pediatric Heart Transplantation Over 36 Years and Contemporary Volume-Outcome Relationship

BackgroundThis study examines 36 years of national pediatric heart transplantation data to (1) identify trends in transplant volume, centers, and 1-year graft survival and (2) assess how center transplant volume affects outcomes over a contemporary 11-year period. MethodsStudy investigators utilized the United Network for Organ Sharing database and performed a retrospective review of pediatric patients (aged <18 years) who underwent heart transplantation between January 1, 1987 and December 31, 2022, inclusive. Trend analyses included the whole cohort, whereas volume-outcome analyses included a contemporary cohort (January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2022) to account for the temporal changes observed in transplant survival. Highest-volume centers were defined by the number of heart transplantations performed per center per year. ResultsOver 36 years, 11,828 pediatric heart transplantations were performed. Transplant volume steadily rose, the number of centers remained stable, and 1-year graft survival improved significantly. In the contemporary era (2012-2022), 89 centers conducted 4959 pediatric heart transplantations. The top 15% high-volume centers (13 centers) accounted for 48.3% (n = 2393) of transplantations, with an average of 16.7 ± 3.8 transplantations per center annually, compared with 3.9 ± 3.1 for lower-volume centers (P < .001). Despite performing transplantations in higher-risk patients, high-volume centers achieved similar postoperative outcomes and improved long-term survival compared with low-volume centers. ConclusionsAlthough the number of US pediatric heart transplant centers has remained stable, pediatric heart transplant volume has steadily increased, as has 1-year graft survival. In a contemporary cohort, the top 15th percentile highest-volume centers accounted for 48.3% of US pediatric heart transplants and performed transplantations in higher-risk patients with similar postoperative outcomes and improved longitudinal survival.

Protocol for a multicentre prospective exploratory mixed-methods study investigating the modifiable psychosocial variables influencing access to and outcomes after kidney transplantation in children and young people in the UK

IntroductionKidney transplantation is the preferred therapy for children with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD-5). However, there is a wide variation in access to kidney transplantation across the UK for...

"Take it or leave it": Analysis of pediatric heart offers for transplantation in Switzerland.

There is a shortage of donor hearts in Switzerland, especially for pediatric recipients. However, the rate and reason for refusals of pediatric donor hearts offered in Switzerland has not been systematically analyzed. The national transplant database, Swiss Organ Allocation System, was searched for all hearts from Swiss and foreign donors younger than 16 years from 2015 to 2020. The numbers of accepted and refused hearts and early outcome were assessed, and the reasons for refusal were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 136 organs were offered to the three Swiss pediatric heart centers and foreign donor procurement organizations. Of these, 26/136 (19%) organs were accepted and transplanted: 18 hearts were transplanted in Switzerland, and 13 of these were foreign. Reasons for refusal were (1) no compatible recipient due to blood group or weight mismatch, 89.4%; (2) medical, meaning organ too marginal for transplantation, 7.4%; (3) logistic, 1.4%; and (4) other, 1.8%. Five organs were refused in Switzerland by one center but later accepted and successfully transplanted by another center. Hearts from outside Switzerland were transplanted significantly less than Swiss hearts (n = 16/120 vs. 10/16, p < .001). The most common reason for refusing a pediatric donor heart is lack of compatibility with the recipient. Few hearts are refused for medical reasons. A more generous acceptance seems to be justified in selected patients. Switzerland receives a high number of foreign offers, but their rate of acceptance is lower than that of Swiss donations.

The paediatric liver transplant experience in Johannesburg, South Africa: A broad overview and update.

The Wits Transplant Unit performed its first paediatric liver transplant in 2005. Initial experiences from the unit were published in 2012 and 2014. Since then, significant progress has been made in capacity-building the unit, improving outcomes and enhancing service delivery. This paper presents a broad overview and update of the unit's 17-year experience. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all paediatric liver transplants performed in Johannesburg from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2021 with a minimum one-year follow-up. Data were accessed from the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre Paediatric Liver Transplant Research Database (University of the Witwatersrand Human Research Ethics approval: M190749). The following data were collected: donor and recipient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, details of transplant procedures, donor grafts and recipient outcomes (post-operative complications, graft and recipient survival). Results: A total of 270 transplants were performed during the review period. Two thirds of recipients (n=180, 67%) were younger than 5 years at time of transplant and half (n=135, 50%) received a living donor graft. The most common indication for liver transplant was biliary atresia, followed by acute liver failure. Unadjusted recipient survival was 80% (95% CI: 75-85%) at one year, and 68% (95% CI: 59-75%) at five years. Waiting list mortality decreased from 27.3% in 2017 to 5.9% in 2021. One hundred and fifty-four (57.0%) recipients experienced at least one type of intervention requiring surgical complication - the most common being biliary in nature (n = 91; 33.7%). Conclusion: Over last seventeen years, a sustainable paediatric liver transplantation service has been established in Johannesburg. Living donor, split and ABO incompatible liver transplants have been incorporated in response to the severe organ shortage in South Africa. However, our outcomes can be improved. Additionally, a national transplant initiative to coordinate timeous referrals and expand access to liver transplantation for children with severe acute and chronic liver failure is advised.

Evaluation of liver transplantation services in Kazakhstan from 2012 to 2023

There is a scarcity of publications evaluating the performance of the national liver transplantation (LTx) program in Kazakhstan. Spanning from 2012 to 2023, it delves into historical trends in LTx surgeries, liver transplant centers, and the national cohort of patients awaiting LTx. Survival analysis for those awaiting LTx, using life tables and Kaplan–Meier, is complemented by time series analysis projecting developments until 2030. The overall per million population (pmp) LTx rate varied from 0.35 to 3.77, predominantly favoring living donor LTx. Liver transplant center rates ranged from 0.06 to 0.40. Of 474 LTx patients, 364 on the waiting list did not receive transplantation. The 30-day and 1-year survival rates on the waiting list were 87.0% and 68.0%, respectively. Viral hepatitis and cirrhosis prevalence steadily rose from 2015 to 2023, with projections indicating a persistent trend until 2030. Absent targeted interventions, stable pmp rates of LTx and liver transplant centers may exacerbate the backlog of unoperated patients. This study sheds light on critical aspects of the LTx landscape in Kazakhstan, emphasizing the urgency of strategic interventions to alleviate the burden on patients awaiting transplantation.

Very Low Frequency of Pathological Findings in One-year Protocol Biopsies of Uneventful Standard Risk Kidney Transplant Recipients: Results From the Nordic Protocol Biopsy Study.

The clinical significance of kidney transplant protocol biopsies has been debated. We studied the frequency of borderline changes and T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) in 1-y protocol biopsies in standard risk kidney transplant recipients. Consecutive non-HLA-sensitized recipients of kidney transplants between 2006 and 2017, who underwent a protocol biopsy at 1 y in 2 national transplant centers were studied retrospectively (N = 1546). Donor-specific HLA antibodies (DSAs), graft function (plasma creatinine), and proteinuria were measured at the time of 1-y protocol biopsy. The occurrence of subclinical acute TCMR (i2t2v0 or higher) or borderline changes suspicious of TCMR (i1t1v0 or higher) in the protocol biopsy was studied, together with frequency of findings causing changes in the composite score iBox. Subclinical acute TCMR was detected in 30 of 1546 (1.9%) of the protocol biopsies, and borderline or TCMR in 179 of 1546 (12%). Among patients with no history of acute rejection, and no proteinuria or DSA, TCMR was detected in only 1 of 974 (0.1%) and borderline or TCMR in only 48 of 974 (4.9%) patients at 1 y. In the absence of proteinuria (<30 mg/g, or equivalent as measured with a negative dipstick proteinuria) or DSA, or history of acute rejection, only 50 of 974 (5.1%) biopsies showed any lesions significant for the iBox score. The likelihood of pathological findings in 1-y protocol biopsies in non-HLA-sensitized patients without previous immunological events is low. Clinical usefulness of protocol biopsies seems limited in these patients.

Maximizing matching, equity and survival in kidney transplantation using molecular HLA immunogenicity quantitation

HLA matching improves long-term outcomes of kidney transplantation, yet implementation challenges persist, particularly within the African American (Black) patient demographic due to donor scarcity. Consequently, kidney survival rates among Black patients significantly lag behind those of other racial groups. A refined matching scheme holds promise for improving kidney survival, with prioritized matching for Black patients potentially bolstering rates of HLA-matched transplants.To facilitate quantity, quality and equity in kidney transplants, we propose two matching algorithms based on quantification of HLA immunogenicity using the hydrophobic mismatch score (HMS) for prospective transplants. We mined the national transplant patient database (SRTR) for a diverse group of donors and recipients with known racial backgrounds. Additionally, we use novel methods to infer survival assessment in the simulated transplants generated by our matching algorithms, in the absence of actual target outcomes, utilizing modified unsupervised clustering techniques.Our allocation algorithms demonstrated the ability to match 87.7% of Black and 86.1% of White recipients under the HLA immunogenicity threshold of 10. Notably, at the lowest HMS threshold of 0, 4.4% of Black and 12.1% of White recipients were matched, a marked increase from the 1.8% and 6.6% matched under the prevailing allocation scheme. Furthermore, our allocation algorithms yielded similar or improved survival rates, as illustrated by Kaplan–Meier (KM) curves, and enhanced survival prediction accuracy, evidenced by C-indices and Integrated Brier Scores.