Successful Lung Transplantation From a Donor Who Had Recovered From Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Pneumonia.

Abstract

During the present coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, transplantation of donor lungs using patients with a history of COVID-19 infection is a critical issue. Donor-derived virus infection and graft dysfunction are possible after transplantation. However use of such lungs could save the lives of patients requiring emergency transplantation. We successfully transplanted lungs from a brain-dead donor who had recovered from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 into a severe respiratory failure patient supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation who needed an emergency transplant. At the 3-month follow-up our patient showed no evidence of COVID-19 transmission or graft dysfunction.