Characteristics of Hepatitis C+ vs Hepatitis C- Donors

Abstract

Purpose With the advent of direct acting antiviral therapies (DAAs) for Hepatitis C (HCV), the use of HCV donors in adult heart transplantation is increasing. We sought to characterize HCV+ vs. HCV- donors to assess whether significant differences in donor quality and rates of organ acceptance and transplantation exist. Methods Between January 1, 2018 and August 15, 2018 we evaluated 427 heart transplant donors offered to the adult heart transplant program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. We compared age, sex, BMI, cause of donor death, and rates of organ acceptance transplantation. We examined any heart donor during this time frame that was HCV antibody and/or HCV NAT positive. Results The Table demonstrates the characteristics of all 427 donors comparing HCV\u202f+\u202fvs HCV- donors. HCV+ donor hearts come predominantly from male donors among whom the overwhelming cause of death is drug overdose. These hearts have a higher likelihood of being accepted for transplant and being transplanted, relative to hearts from HCV- donors. Conclusion In the era of DAAs, utilization of HCV+ hearts is a viable strategy to help expand the donor pool.