Ethical issues in solid organ transplantation: transfusion-free transplantation in Jehovah's witness patients

Abstract

Purpose of review Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept transfusion of major allogeneic blood fractions. Successful solid organ transplantation is challenging for Jehovah's Witnesses when anemia, coagulation disturbances, and difficult technical aspects co-exist, and key blood bank resources cannot be utilized. Organ availability for transplantation is limited and demand exceeds supply for all organ types. Historically, the likelihood of poor outcomes in Jehovah's Witnesses patients placed ethical limitations on transplant candidacy for this population violating the precept of maximal utilization of a limited resource. The review's purpose is to describe advancements and strategies that make Jehovah's Witnesses transplant outcomes comparable to transfusion-eligible patients and allay the ethical concerns of their candidacy. Recent findings Immunomodulation from allogeneic transfusion is a cause of significant postop morbidity. Blood conservation strategies have led to improved outcomes across different medical and surgical cohorts and set the stage for expanded utility in Jehovah's Witnesses with organ insufficiency. Published single-center series with descriptions of specific peri-operative strategies describe the path to major blood product avoidance. Summary Comparable outcomes in solid organ transplantation for Jehovah's Witnesses without allogeneic transfusion are possible when inclusion-exclusion criteria are respected, and blood conservation strategies employed.