Long-Term Study Reaffirms Benefits of Covid-19 Vaccination for Organ Transplant Recipients

A two-year study found that spikes of post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 viral infections (commonly known as COVID-19 breakthrough cases) remain common, yet hospitalization rates have dramatically dropped following the first wave of the virus’ omicron subvariant.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Researchers Awarded $15.1 Million Grant to Explore Immune Rejection of Transplanted Organs

Striving to improve organ transplant survival rates, internationally renowned researchers in immunology and bioengineering at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have received $15.1 million from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to lead a novel, five-year multi-center research program that will explore trained immunity—the innate immune system’s ability to remember infections and other insults—as a target for preventing organ transplant rejection.

Johns Hopkins Medicine to Receive $21.4 Million to Advance Viability of Animal Organs for Transplants and Enable Human Clinical Trials

As part of the worldwide effort to facilitate a research and clinical pathway toward successful xenotransplantation — the transplantation of living cells, tissues and organs from one species to another — two Johns Hopkins Medicine surgeons, Kazuhiko Yamada, M.D., Ph.D., and Andrew Cameron, M.D., Ph.D., will receive a total of $21.4 million in funding over the next two years under two sponsored research agreements with biotechnology company United Therapeutics Corporation.

Atlantic Health System and NYU Langone Health Announce Partnership on Organ Transplantation

Two of the leading names in health care in the tri-state region, New Jersey–based Atlantic Health System and New York–based NYU Langone Health, are teaming up to give patients greater access to heart and liver transplants and the coordinated, high-quality care needed to stay healthy. The clinical affiliation will partner NYU Langone’s nationally recognized transplant program with the nationally ranked Atlantic Health System Heart Care program located at Morristown Medical Center’s Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute (Morristown, NJ) and the ground-breaking liver services at Overlook Medical Center (Summit, NJ).

For Transplant Recipients, Third Time May Be the Charm for Better COVID Vaccine Protection

In a study published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers say they believe that, for the first time, there is evidence to show that three doses of vaccine increase antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID 19 — more than the standard two-dose regimen for people who have received solid organ transplants.

Organ Transplant Recipients Remain Vulnerable to Covid-19 Even After Second Vaccine Dose

In a study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers show that although two doses of a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID 19 — confers some protection for people who have received solid organ transplants, it’s still not enough to enable them to dispense with masks, physical distancing and other safety measures.

Liver Transplant Team Part of National Trial to Increase Donor Pool

UC San Diego Health program offers comprehensive care with excellent outcomes Nationally, more than 12,000 people need a liver transplant, including more than 2,300 Californians. Patients can wait several years on the liver transplant wait list in California before receiving…

UC San Diego Health Revives Non-Beating Donor Heart for Successful Transplantation

UC San Diego Health is the first hospital on the West Coast to perform heart transplant surgery from a donor after circulatory death using a new portable organ care system. The investigational procedure could significantly decrease transplant waiting list times and improve patient outcomes.

Hackensack University Medical Center Reactivates Transplant List and Resumes Transplant Surgeries

In March 2020, Hackensack University Medical Center voluntarily inactivated its transplant list and put a hold on performing transplant surgeries due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Throughout the pandemic, Hackensack University Medical Center’s organ transplant physicians continued to provide care to transplant candidates and previous organ recipients through telehealth virtual visits. Hackensack University Medical Center made the decision to reactivate its transplant list and resume offering transplant procedures now that enhanced patient safety measures designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have been successfully implemented across all Hackensack Meridian Health facilities.