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Lentine KL, Peipert JD, Alhamad T, Caliskan Y, Concepcion BP, Forbes R, Schnitzler M, Chang SH, Cooper M, Bloom RD, Mannon RB, Axelrod DA. Survey of Clinician Opinions on Kidney Transplantation from Hepatitis C Virus Positive Donors: Identifying and Overcoming Barriers. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 1:1291-1299. [PMID: 33251523 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0004592020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background Transplant practices related to use of organs from Hepatitis C virus infected donors (DHCV+) is evolving rapidly. Methods We surveyed U.S. kidney transplant programs by email and professional society listserv postings between 7/19-1/20 to assess attitudes, management strategies, and barriers related to use of viremic (nucleic acid testing (NAT)+) donor organs in HCV uninfected recipients. Results Staff at 112 unique programs responded, representing 54% of U.S. adult kidney transplant programs and 69% of adult deceased donor kidney transplant volume in 2019. Most survey respondents were transplant nephrologists (46%) or surgeons (43%). Among responding programs, 67% currently transplant DHCV antibody+/NAT- organs under a clinical protocol or as standard of care. By comparison, only 58% offer DHCV NAT+ kidney transplant to HCV- recipients, including 35% under clinical protocols, 14% as standard of care, and 9% under research protocols. Following transplant of DHCV NAT+ organs to uninfected recipients, 53% start direct acting antiviral agent (DAA) therapy after discharge and documented viremia. Viral monitoring protocols after DHCV NAT+ to HCV uninfected recipient kidney transplantation varied substantially. 56% of programs performing these transplants report having an institutional plan to provide DAA treatment if declined by the recipient's insurance. Respondents felt a mean decrease in waiting time of ≥18 months (range 0-60) justifies the practice. Program concerns related to use of DHCV NAT+ kidneys include insurance coverage concerns (72%), cost (60%), and perceived risk of transmitting resistant infection (44%). Conclusions Addressing knowledge about safety and logistical/financial barriers related to use of DHCV NAT+ kidney transplantation for HCV uninfected recipients may help reduced discards and expand the organ supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista L Lentine
- Saint Louis University Center for Abdominal Transplantation, St. Louis, MO
| | - John D Peipert
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.,Northwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Core, Chicago, IL
| | | | - Yasar Caliskan
- Saint Louis University Center for Abdominal Transplantation, St. Louis, MO
| | | | | | - Mark Schnitzler
- Saint Louis University Center for Abdominal Transplantation, St. Louis, MO
| | | | | | - Roy D Bloom
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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Financial Evaluation of Kidney Transplant With Hepatitis C Viremic Donors to Uninfected Recipients. Transplant Direct 2020; 6:e627. [PMID: 33204825 PMCID: PMC7665247 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000001056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Kidney transplantation with hepatitis C viremic (dHCV+) donors appears safe for recipients without HCV when accompanied by direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatment. However, US programs have been reluctant to embrace this approach due to concern about insurance coverage. While the cost of DAA treatment is currently offset by the reduction in waiting time, increased competition for dHCV+ organs may reduce this advantage. This analysis sought to demonstrate the financial benefit of dHCV+ transplant for third-party health insurers to expand coverage availability. Methods An economic analysis was developed using a Markov model for 2 decisions: first, to accept a dHCV+ organ versus wait for a dHCV uninfected organ; or second, accept a high kidney donor profile index (KDPI) (>85) organ versus wait for a better quality dHCV+ organ. The analysis used Medicare payments, historical survival data, cost report data, and an estimated cost of DAA of $29 874. Results In the first analysis, using dHCV+ kidneys reduced the cost of end-stage kidney disease care if the wait for a dHCV uninfected organ exceeded 11.5 months. The financial breakeven point differed according to the cost of DAA treatment. In the second analysis, declining a high-KDPI organ in favor of a waiting dHCV+ organ was marginally clinically beneficial if waiting times were <12 months but not cost effective. Conclusions dHCV+ transplant appears to be economically and clinically advantageous compared with waiting for dHCV-uninfected transplant but should not replace high-KDPI transplant when appropriate. Despite the high cost of DAA therapy, health insurers benefit financially from dHCV+ transplant within 1 year.
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Kapila N, Menon KVN, Al-Khalloufi K, Vanatta JM, Murgas C, Reino D, Ebaid S, Shaw JJ, Agrawal N, Rhazouani S, Navas V, Sheffield C, Rahman AU, Castillo M, Lindenmeyer CC, Miller C, Quintini C, Zervos XB. Hepatitis C Virus NAT-Positive Solid Organ Allografts Transplanted Into Hepatitis C Virus-Negative Recipients: A Real-World Experience. Hepatology 2020; 72:32-41. [PMID: 31659775 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-viremic organs are underutilized, and there is limited real-world experience on the transplantation of HCV-viremic solid organs into recipients who are HCV negative. APPROACH AND RESULTS Patients listed or being evaluated for solid organ transplant after January 26, 2018, were educated and consented by protocol on the transplantation of HCV-viremic organs. All recipients were HCV nucleic acid test and anti-HCV antibody negative at the time of transplant and received an HCV-viremic organ. The primary outcome was sustained virological response (SVR) at 12 weeks after completion of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy (SVR12 ). Seventy-seven patients who were HCV negative underwent solid organ transplantation from a donor who was HCV viremic. No patients had evidence of advanced hepatic fibrosis. Treatment regimen and duration were at the discretion of the hepatologist. Sixty-four patients underwent kidney transplant (KT), and 58 KT recipients had either started or completed DAA therapy. Forty-one achieved SVR12 , 10 had undetectable viral loads but are not eligible for SVR12 , and 7 remain on treatment. One KT recipient was a nonresponder because of nonstructural protein 5A resistance. Four patients underwent liver transplant and 2 underwent liver-kidney transplant. Three patients achieved SVR12 , 1 has completed DAA therapy, and 2 remain on treatment. Six patients underwent heart transplant and 1 underwent heart-kidney transplant. Six patients achieved SVR12 and 1 patient remains on treatment. CONCLUSIONS Limited data exist on the transplantation of HCV-viremic organs into recipients who are HCV negative. Our study is the largest to describe a real-world experience of the transplantation of HCV-viremic organs into recipients who are aviremic. In carefully selected patients, the use of HCV-viremic grafts in the DAA era appears to be efficacious and well tolerated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Kapila
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | | | | | - Jason M Vanatta
- Department of Transplant, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL
| | - Carla Murgas
- Department of Transplant, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL
| | - Diego Reino
- Department of Transplant, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL
| | - Samer Ebaid
- Department of Transplant, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL
| | - Joshua J Shaw
- Department of Transplant, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL
| | - Neerja Agrawal
- Department of Transplant, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL
| | - Salwa Rhazouani
- Department of Transplant, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL
| | - Viviana Navas
- Department of Transplant, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL
| | | | - Asad Ur Rahman
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL
| | | | | | - Charles Miller
- Department of Transplant, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
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