COVID-19-related Mortality During the First 60 Days After Kidney Transplantation.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the decision to suspend most organ transplantation programs in affected countries, especially in Europe [1]. A recent large population-based report revealed that the cohort at highest risk of in-hospital death due to COVID-19 was the organ transplant population, with a hazard ratio of 4.27 [2]. Published experiences have been restricted to long-term stable kidney transplant (KT) recipients. Despite initial low mortality reported from China [3], further case series have shown mortality rates of up to 75% [4]. The decision to suspend KT programs has been arbitrary, as no reports of COVID-19 in the most vulnerable population, that is, patients with a very recent KT and profound immunosuppression, are available.