COVID‐19 associated development of antibody mediated rejection in orthotopic heart transplantation patients

Abstract

AbstractSolid organ transplant candidates encountered increased wait times and mortality rates during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Despite improvement in medical management and vaccination efficacy, this patient population remains at increased risk for complications post COVID‐19 including organ rejection. We describe the development of antibody mediated rejection with or without cellular rejection in heart transplant (HT) recipients and previous COVID‐19 infection or vaccination. Although centers have changed their management of outpatient follow‐up for orthotopic heart transplant patients, little is known on surveillance of rejection and management of HT recipients after COVID‐19 infection. We recommend frequent surveillance for rejection or allograft dysfunction after COVID‐19 infection. We have adopted a transplant surveillance protocol for HT recipients with COVID‐19 infection, given our recent experience with transplanted patients affected of COVID‐19.