P4.7 Challenges faced in a Covid 19 positive donor management and the success of heart transplantation
Thursday October 19, 2023 from 13:00 to 14:00
South Seas Ballroom A/B
Presenter

Mareena Jaise Kunnath, United Arab Emirates

Organ Donation Nurse Coordinator

Organ Donation Unit/Critical Care Unit

Tawam Hospital

Abstract

Challenges faced in a Covid 19 positive donor management and the success of heart transplantation

Mareena Kunnath1, Hala Abuzeid1, Reginaldo Boni2,3, Jocelyn Gundan1.

1Critical Care, Tawam Hospital , Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; 2DTI- Foundation, Donation and Transplantation Institute , Barcelona, Spain; 3Senior expert, DTI Foundation, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Organ Donation Unit Tawam Hospital .

Introduction: The Sars Cov 2 (Covid 19) pandemic created a new world scenario by reducing the number of deceased organ donors, impacting transplantation reduction. With the control of the pandemic, the transplant of abdominal and retroperitoneal organs from deceased donors with a positive test for Covid 19(PCR), without signs of active disease, began to happen. Our Organ Donation Unit, created in 2019, is located at Tawam Hospital, in the United Arab Emirates, and the first deceased donor occurred in 2020 during the Covid 19 Pandemic. Until 2021 half year, Covid PCR positive cases were not considered suitable until another ODU in UAE had its first Covid 19 Positive donor(incidentally found, not with active disease) There was no policy or protocols available on management of such cases.
Method:  Case Study by evaluating the organ viability of a deceased donor with Covid 19 PCR and MDx Positive.
We had a potential donor, 21 year old, male, who was presented in emergency on 12 June 2022 with history of high grade fever and altered sensorium. Brain tomography showed intracerebral hemorrage. Patient was admitted to ICU postoperatively with GCS: 3/15 and dilated fixed pupils. Initial hypothesis for the cause of coma was meningoencephalitis but it was excluded with the CSF analysis. Brain death diagnosis was done. The family accepted organ donation.
During donor management the Covid 19 screening showed positive result on June 17th( tested negative during admission). All the additional tests and investigations requested by the transplant facilities were performed. None of the investigations showed any evidence of active infection or Covid disease. The subject matter experts carefully studied the case and evaluated the donor as suitable for organ donation.  
Results: Even with clear evaluation that consented donor was eligible for donation, no organs were accepted by the transplant centers in UAE.
The heart was accepted by the Saudi Arabia Center for heart Transplantation. The heart was successfully transplanted to a 13 year old male who was discharged later with good outcomes.
Rejection of all other organs prompted our ODU Director to ask for a biopsy on the unused organs and the results showed clean organs including the lungs.
Conclusion: The use of organs from Covid 19 PCR positive(as in incidental finding, no active disease)can be a safe alternative for transplantation.This case prompted us in revising our Organ Donation policy to include the Covid 19 positive donor Protocol in it.

Dr Marty Manyalich DTI Foundation Barcelona- Spain.


Lectures by Mareena Jaise Kunnath

When Session Talk Title Room
Thu-19
13:00 - 14:00
Donor Management Challenges faced in a Covid 19 positive donor management and the success of heart transplantation South Seas Ballroom A/B

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