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Published on: August 17, 2022
Liver Transplantation Services During the Time of COVID-19
1Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted liver transplantation, impacting patients and donors. This review examines the effects of COVID-19 on liver disease patients and transplant candidates, offering risk stratification strategies.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Transplant Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant morbidity and mortality.
- Hospital systems were overwhelmed, leading to resource reallocation.
- Liver transplantation programs faced unexpected halts globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To understand the impact of COVID-19 on liver disease patients.
- To assess the effects on individuals awaiting liver transplants.
- To provide strategies for risk stratification in liver transplantation during the pandemic.
Main Methods:
- Review of recommendations from hepatology and transplant societies.
- Summarization of emerging studies on COVID-19 and liver transplantation.
- Analysis of the changing risk-benefit landscape for liver transplants.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 significantly disrupted liver transplantation services worldwide.
- The pandemic altered the risk-benefit considerations for liver transplant candidates.
- Emerging data highlights the need for careful patient evaluation.
Conclusions:
- Understanding COVID-19's impact is crucial for liver disease patients and transplant candidates.
- Societal recommendations provide guidance for managing transplantation during the pandemic.
- Risk stratification strategies are essential for safe and effective liver transplantation in the COVID-19 era.
Abstract:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, prompting overwhelmed hospital systems to reallocate resources to those stricken with the disease. In response, many liver transplantation programs unexpectedly came to an abrupt halt, significantly affecting the lives of living donors and recipients around the world. As the risk-benefit scale of liver transplantation has changed in the era of COVID-19, it is prudent to understand the impact of COVID-19 on those with underlying liver disease and those in need of a liver transplant. In this review, we discuss recommendations put forth by hepatology and transplant societies, summarize results from emerging studies, and propose strategies to appropriately risk stratify patients prior to transplantation.
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