Advances in Transplant

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically reduced transplantation volume and organ donation worldwide. In the first study of its kind to describe the impact of COVID-19 on patients waitlisted for kidney transplantation, the Kidney Transplant Program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center shares its experience. In another study, researchers share triage and treatment strategies for kidney transplant recipients infected with COVID-19.

• During March 2020 to June 2020 of New York City’s pandemic surge, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine saw a 2-fold increase in total waitlist deaths compared to the same period in 2019.
• After examining health outcomes for 56 patients on the waitlist for kidney transplantation and 80 kidney transplant recipients infected with COVID-19, Weill Cornell Medicine researchers found a significantly greater mortality risk for the waitlisted patients compared to transplant patients.
• The case fatality rate for waitlisted patients was 34% compared to 16% for transplant recipients infected with COVID-19 (P=0.02), even though the 2 groups had similar demographics and comorbidities.
• Waitlisted patients were also significantly more likely to require hospitalization after COVID-19 infection than kidney transplant recipients (82% vs. 65%; P=0.03).
• Multivariate analyses revealed that waitlist status, age, and male sex were independently associated with mortality after infection with COVID-19.
• The authors share their findings to inform other transplant centers considering the risks and benefits of delaying or resuming transplantation in the setting of COVID-19.

Why NewYork-Presbyterian?

We are committed to sharing the lessons we’ve learned from the pandemic with other centers in order to provide optimal care for patients and ensure safety for providers. In light of SARS-COV2, the Kidney Transplant Program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine is taking special precautions. Currently, we are performing transplant procedures and providing non-emergency telemedicine visits. To refer a patient, please call (212) 746-3099.

More Information

For more information about our Kidney Transplant Program, please visit: https://www.nyp.org/transplant/kidney-transplant