HCV Positive Allograft Use in Heart Transplant is Associated With Increased Access to Overdose Donors and Reduced Waitlist Mortality Without Compromising Outcomes

Recent advances in Hepatitis C virus treatment have made the disease curable, and previously discarded hearts from Hepatitis C-positive donors are now able to be transplanted. Evaluating organ use on a regional scale, our study found that transplanting hearts from Hepatitis C-positive donors improved access to an increasingly prevalent population of potential donors dying of drug overdose who would otherwise be suitable donors. This has ultimately translated to less patients dying while awaiting an organ, while patients transplanted with Hepatitis C-positive hearts have shown similar 1-year survival compared to those receiving hearts from donors without Hepatitis C.

Source: Journal of Cardiac Failure - July 24, 2021 Category: Cardiology Authors: Peter J Altshuler, Mark R Helmers, Alexis R Schiazza, Robin Hu, Jason J Han, D Alan Herbst, Amit Iyengar, Pavan Atluri Source Type: research