When pancreata fly: Outcomes and lessons learned from the development of a Pancreas Transplant Import Program

BACKGROUND

To address long waitlist times and increase pancreas transplantation, our center has implemented a protocol for long-distance importation of pancreata.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of pancreas transplantation at our institution from January 1, 2014, the start of our importation program, through September 30, 2021. Outcomes were compared between locally procured grafts and imported grafts, defined as grafts procured greater than 250 nautical miles (NM) from our center.

RESULTS

Eighty-one patients underwent pancreas transplantation during the study time period; 19 (23.5%) received imported grafts. There were no significant differences in recipient demographics or type of transplant received. Mean distance of import was 644.2 ± 234.0 NM. Imported grafts were more likely to be from pediatric donors <18 years old (p = .02) and a significantly higher proportion of imported grafts came from donors weighing <30 kg (26.3 vs. 3.2%, p = .007). Cold ischemic time was longer for imported grafts than for local grafts (13.4 ± 2.3 h vs. 9.8 ± 2.2 h, p < .01). There was no significant difference in deaths or graft losses within 90 days or at 1 year between groups.

CONCLUSION

Centers should consider expanding criteria for acceptance of imported pancreata to increase the number of transplants and combat organ nonutilization.

Access to kidney transplantation among pediatric candidates with prior solid organ transplants in the United States

BACKGROUND

Pediatric kidney transplant candidates require timely access to transplant to optimize growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes. We studied access to transplant for pediatric candidates with prior organ transplants.

METHODS

We used US registry data to identify pediatric kidney transplant candidates added to the waiting list 2015-2019 and used competing risk regression to study the association between prior transplant status and probability of receiving a kidney transplant, treating wait-list removal and death as competing events.

RESULTS

Of 4962 pediatric kidney transplant candidates included, 89% had no prior transplant and 11% had received a prior organ transplant (kidney 87%, liver 5%, heart 5%). Prior transplant recipients were older at listing (median 15 vs. 12 years) and more likely to have PRA≥98% (22% vs. 0.3%) (both p < .001). There was no significant difference in the proportion of candidates from each group who were preemptively wait-listed. Unadjusted competing risk regression showed a lower risk of kidney transplant after wait-listing among candidates with prior organ transplant (HR 0.52, 95%CI 0.47-0.59, p < .001). This association remained significant after adjusting for candidate characteristics (HR 0.73, 95%CI 0.63-0.83, p < .001). Among deceased donor kidney recipients, median KDPI was similar between groups, but recipients with prior transplants were more likely to receive kidneys from donors with hypertension (4% vs. 1%, p = .01) and donors after cardiac death (11% vs. 4%, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric kidney transplant candidates with prior organ transplants have reduced access to transplant after wait-listing. Allocation system changes are needed to improve timely access to transplant for this vulnerable group.