Follow-up and management of kidney transplant recipients during the COVID-19 lockdown: The experience of an italian transplant center, including two cases of COVID-19 pneumonia
Date
2020Author
Binda, Barbara
Picchi, Giovanna
Carucci, Anna Cecilia
Sinatti, Gaia
Norcia, Monica Di
Grimaldi, Alessandro
Lancione, Laura
Natili, Andrea
Chiappori, Davide
Montali, Filippo
Lupi, Diana
Martinez, Viviana
Panarese, Alessandra
D’anselmi, Fabrizio
Pisani, Francesco
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new infectious disease that
emerged in China in late 2019 and is now spreading around the world. Social distancing
measures were needed to reduce transmission, and lockdown included restricted access to
health care facilities. The impact of COVID-19 on transplant recipients is unknown, but
considering their immunosuppression status and associated comorbidities, they should be
considered a high-risk population.
Methods. A kidney transplant center in Central Italy implemented a strategy to maintain
follow-up of kidney transplant recipients by phone and e-mail during lockdown. Telephone
interviews were used to administer a clinical questionnaire to patients, and e-mail was used
to receive the results of diagnostic tests conducted in outpatient settings.
Results. From March 17 to April 23, 2020, a total of 143 kidney transplant recipients were
contacted. Twenty-eight patients needed in-hospital consultation for problems unrelated to
COVID-19, 3 of whom needed hospitalization. Eleven patients were managed at home for
mild urinary or respiratory diseases, and 1 was referred to the hematologist. We identified 2
suspected cases of COVID-19 infection, and the patients were referred to hospital care.
Immunosuppressive therapy was modulated, and intravenous corticosteroids and potentially
effective antiviral therapy were administered with a favorable outcome.
Conclusions. In the context of a lockdown, such as that occurring in response to COVID-19,
we suggest implementing remote surveillance programs in kidney transplant recipients with the
help of any available technology and offering medical consulting and logistic support as
needed.
Link to resource
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2020.06.026Collections
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