Kidney transplantation using lymphocyte depleting induction and standard maintenance immunosuppression at the height of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic in New York City: A single‐center experience. Issue 9 (18th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Santeusanio, Andrew D.; Zendel, Alexey; Fenig, Yaniv; Mahamid, Ahmad; Bhansali, Arjun; De Boccardo, Graciela; Delaney, Veronica; Farouk, Samira S.; Dunn, Dallas; Rana, Meenakshi; Florman, Sander; Shapiro, Ron
• Is Part Of: Clinical transplantation. Volume 34:Issue 9(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-08-18
• Subjects: COVID‐19 -- immunosuppressive agents -- kidney transplantation -- transplant recipients; Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc -- Periodicals; 617.95
• DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0902-0063

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Concerns have been raised regarding proceeding with kidney transplantation using standard immunosuppression in COVID‐19 endemic areas. Methods: We performed a single‐center review of all adult kidney transplants performed during the COVID‐19 pandemic in New York City. Patients were managed with standard immunosuppression protocols, including lymphocyte depleting induction and trough‐guided tacrolimus. Retrospective data were collected for 3 months from the date of transplantation or until study conclusion (5/7/2020). The primary outcomes assessed included patient and allograft survival as well as COVID‐19 related hospital readmission. Results: 30 kidney transplants were performed during the height of the COVID‐19 pandemic. After a median follow‐up of 51.5 days, 93.3% of patients were alive with 100% death‐censored allograft survival. 9 patients were readmitted to the hospital during the study period, 4 (13.3%) related to infection with COVID‐19. Infections were mild in 3/4 patients, with one patient developing severe disease leading to respiratory failure. Patients readmitted with COVID‐19 were numerically more likely to be African American, have a BMI > 30 kg/m 2, have a lymphocyte count ≤ 300 cells/mL, and be on maintenance corticosteroids. Conclusions: Kidney transplantation in areas endemic to COVID‐19 using standard induction and maintenance immunosuppression appears to be associated with a modest risk for severe COVID‐19 related disease.