Disparities in heart and lung transplantation

Equity in the cardiothoracic surgical workforce: addressing training gaps and workforce distribution in Africa- a narrative review

Cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) remains one of the least diverse surgical specialties, marked by significant gender and racial disparities. Despite increased medical school enrollment and the inclusion of more women and underrepresented minorities in the medical workforce, the number of locally trained cardiothoracic surgeons remains disproportionately low, particularly in regions with limited access to specialized care. This lack of diversity is compounded by systemic barriers such as limited exposure to the specialty, a shortage of mentors and role models, and the persistence of gender bias and discrimination. These factors contribute to a workforce that does not adequately reflect the demographic diversity of the patient population, further hindering access to quality care. To address these challenges, this article outlines several policy recommendations aimed at improving equity in CTS training and workforce development. Key strategies include increasing awareness and exposure to CTS among medical students, expanding training opportunities, and establishing regional centers of excellence. Gender equity should be prioritized through the implementation of zero-tolerance policies for discrimination and harassment, and financial incentives should be introduced to retain cardiothoracic professionals locally. Additionally, mentorship, collaboration, and international partnerships can enhance surgical skills and knowledge sharing across regions. Public health policies focusing on improving access to cardiothoracic services, particularly in underserved communities, are critical for reducing disparities. Enhanced community awareness campaigns, improved data collection, and strengthened healthcare infrastructure are vital to ensure equitable access to care. Ultimately, achieving equity in CTS requires collaborative efforts between governments, academic institutions, healthcare providers, and international partners, aimed at building a resilient and diverse cardiothoracic workforce capable of meeting the needs of diverse populations.

Trends in racial and ethnic disparities in pediatric lung transplantation in the United States

BACKGROUND

Racial and ethnic disparities in pediatric lung transplantation (LTx) related to the shifting cystic fibrosis (CF) population receiving highly effective modulator therapy (HEMT) has not been well investigated.

METHODS

The UNOS Registry was queried for patients age 1-25 years undergoing bilateral LTx between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2021. Race and ethnicity were classified as non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, or none of the above. The primary outcome was posttransplant mortality. Trends in the association between race/ethnicity and mortality were examined using transplant year as a continuous variable and stratifying year based on introduction of HEMT (triple combination therapy) in November 2019.

RESULTS

In the study sample (N = 941), 7% of patients were non-Hispanic Black, 15% were Hispanic, and 2% were some other racial or ethnic group. One hundred (11%) received LTx after approval of triple combination therapy, and 407 (43%) died during follow-up. We identified a statistically significant disparity in mortality hazard (hazard ratio: 1.91; 95% confidence interval: 1.31, 2.80) in non-Hispanic Black compared to non-Hispanic White patients in the pre-triple combination therapy era.

CONCLUSIONS

We found higher mortality hazard among non-Hispanic Black compared to non-Hispanic White children undergoing LTx in the United States. Further monitoring of LTx outcomes to identify and address disparities is needed in the current era of triple combination therapy for CF.

Gender and Race Differences in HeartMate3 Left Ventricular Assist Device as a Bridge to Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Gender and racial disparities exist after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Compared with older devices, the HeartMate 3 (HM3) (Abbott Cardiovascular) has demonstrated improved survival. Whether HM3 differentially improves outcomes by gender or race and ethnic groups is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to examine differences by gender and race in the use of HM3 among patients listed for heart transplantation (HT) and associated waitlist and post-transplant outcomes.

METHODS

The authors examined all patients (20% women, 33% Black) who received LVADs as bridge to transplantation (BTT) between January 2018 and June 2020, in the OPTN (Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network) database. Trends in use of HM3 were evaluated by gender and race. Competing events of death/delisting and transplantation were evaluated using subdistribution hazard models. Post-transplant outcomes were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression adjusted for demographic, clinical, and donor characteristics.

RESULTS

Of 11,524 patients listed for HT during the study period, 955 (8.3%) had HM3 implanted as BTT. Use of HM3 increased for all patients, with no difference in use by gender (P = 0.4) or by race (P = 0.2). Competing risk analysis did not demonstrate differences in transplantation or death/delisting in men compared with women (HT: adjusted HR [aHR]: 0.92 [95% CI: 0.70-1.21]; death/delisting: aHR: 0.91 [95% CI: 0.59-1.42]), although Black patients were transplanted fewer times than White patients (HT: aHR: 0.72 [95% CI: 0.57-0.91], death/delisting: aHR: 1.36 [95% CI: 0.98-1.89]). One-year post-transplant survival was comparable by gender (aHR: 0.52 [95% CI: 0.21-1.70]) and race (aHR: 0.76 [95% CI: 0.34-1.70]), with no differences in rates of stroke, acute rejection, or graft failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of HM3 among patients listed for HT has increased over time and by gender and race. Black patients with HM3 were less likely to be transplanted compared with White patients, but there were no differences in post-transplant outcomes between these groups or between men and women.

Increased Donor Organ Size and Age is Associated with Reduced Survival in Female Lung Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

Organ selection in lung transplantation (LTx) is still controversial. We here analyze the impact of mismatches in size, age, and gender on early and long-term outcome after LTx.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of donor and recipient characteristics of patients who underwent double LTx between March 2003 and December 2021. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS and GraphPad software.

RESULTS

Two hundred three patients were included (94 women and 109 men). In the whole cohort, oversizing donor organs 10% to 20% compared to the recipients' predicted total lung capacity led to a decreased incidence of severe Primary Graft Dysfunction grades 2 and 3 (2/3; 15% vs 41%, P = .03), and further oversizing > 20% was associated with reduced long-term survival (hazard ratio, 2.33, P = .011). Analyzing donor and recipient age, we found that increased donor age correlated with reduced long-term survival (P = .013). In this cohort, female recipients received older organs (median 57 vs 46 years, P = .0003) and had a higher incidence of > 20% oversizing (13% vs 4%, P = .019) of donor lungs, which resulted in a significantly reduced long-term survival (P = .02) compared with male recipients. Median Lung Allocation Scores were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Mismatch of donor age and size can be important for organ function and survival in LTx recipients. Particularly female recipients seem to have a higher risk for unfavorable long-term outcome when transplanting organs of increased size and age. Multicenter studies are warranted to further address this question.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

(DKRS): 00033312.

Association of Heart Transplant Volume with Presence of Lung Transplant Programs and Heart Transplant's SRTR One-year Survival Rating

BACKGROUND

 Several factors affect heart transplant (HTx) and lung transplant (LTx) program outcomes. Variabilities in institutional and community characteristics have been shown to influence survival. At present, half of HTx centers in the United States do not possess a concomitant LTx program. This study sought to better understand the characteristics of HTx with and without LTx programs.

METHODS

 Nationwide transplant data were collected from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) in August 2020. SRTR star rating ranges from tier 1 (lowest) to tier 5 (highest). HTx volumes and SRTR star ratings for survival were compared between the centers with heart-only (H0) programs and the centers with heart-lung (HL) programs.

RESULTS

 SRTR star ratings were available for 117 transplant centers with one or more HTx reported. The median number of HTx performed over 1 year was 16 (interquartile range [IQR]: 2-29). The number of HL centers (n = 67, 57.3%) were comparable to H0 centers (n = 50, 42.7%; p = 0.14). The HTx volume at the HL centers (28 [IQR: 17-41]) exceeded the HTx volume at the H0 centers (13 [IQR: 9-23]; p < 0.01), but were comparable to the LTx volume at the HL centers (31 [IQR: 16-46]; p = 0.25). The median HTx one-year survival rating was 3 (IQR: 2-4) at both the H0 and HL centers (p = 0.85). The HTx and LTx volumes were positively associated with the respective 1-year survivals (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

 While the presence of an LTx program is not directly associated with HTx survival, it has a positive association with the HTx volume. The HTx and LTx volumes are positively associated with the 1-year survival.

Racial and Gender Disparities in Transplantation of Hepatitis C+ Hearts and Lungs

BACKGROUND

Transplanting organs from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected donors into HCV-negative recipients has led to thousands of more transplants in the United States since 2016. Studies have demonstrated disparities in utilization of kidneys from these donors due to gender and education. It is still unknown, however, if the same disparities are seen in heart and lung transplantation.

METHODS

We used Organ Procurement and Transplantation/United Network for Organ Sharing data on all isolated heart and lung transplants from November 1, 2018, to March 31, 2023, classifying donors based on their HCV nucleic acid test (NAT) result: HCV-NAT- vs HCV-NAT+. We fit separate mixed-effects logistic regression models (outcome: HCV-NAT+ donor) for heart and lung transplants. Primary covariates included (1) race/ethnicity, (2) sex, (3) education level, (4) insurance type, and (5) transplant year.

RESULTS

The study included 26,108 adults (14,189 isolated heart transplant recipients and 11,919 isolated lung transplant recipients). A total of 993 (7.0%) heart transplants involved an HCV-NAT+ donor, compared to 457 (3.8%) lung transplants. In multivariable models among all isolated heart transplant recipients, women were significantly less likely to receive an HCV-NAT+ donor heart (odds ratio [OR]: 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67-0.92, p = 0.003), as were Asian patients (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.31-0.86, p = 0.01). In multivariable models among all isolated lung transplant recipients, Asians were significantly less likely to receive HCV-NAT+ transplants (OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.12-0.77, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

There are disparities in utilization of heart and lungs from HCV-NAT+ donors, with women and Asian patients being significantly less likely to receive these transplants.

Lung transplantation outcomes in patients from socioeconomically distressed communities

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated racial and gender disparities in lung allocation, but contemporary data regarding socioeconomic disparities in post-transplant outcomes are lacking. We evaluated the impact of a composite socioeconomic disadvantage index on post-transplant outcomes.

METHODS

The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients identified 27,763 adult patients undergoing isolated primary lung transplantation between 2005 and 2020. Zip code-level socioeconomic distress was characterized using the Distressed Communities Index (DCI: 0-no distress, 100-severe distress) based on education level, poverty, unemployment, housing vacancies, median income, and business growth, and patients were stratified into high (DCI ≥60) or low (DCI <60) distressed groups.

RESULTS

Recipients from high-distress communities (n = 8006, 28.8%) were younger (59years [interquartile range {IQR} 50-64] vs 61years [IQR 52-66]), less often white (73 vs 85%), less likely to have a college degree (45 vs 59%), and more likely to have public insurance (57 vs 49%, all p < 0.001) compared to those from low-distress communities. Additionally, high-distress recipients were more likely to have group A diagnoses (32 vs 27%) and undergo bilateral lung transplants (72.4 vs 69.3%, all p < 0.001). Post-transplant survival at 5years was 55.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 54.4-56.9) in high-distress recipients and 58.2% (95% CI: 57.4-58.9) in low-distress recipients (p = 0.003). After adjustment, high distress level was independently associated with an increased risk of 5-year mortality (hazard ratio:1.09, 95% CI:1.04-1.15).

CONCLUSIONS

Recipients from distressed communities are at increased mortality risk following lung transplantation. Efforts should be focused on increased resource allocation and further study to better understand factors which may mitigate this disparity.

Improvement in Racial Disparities in Heart Transplantation following the Heart Allocation Policy Change

Objectives. Heart transplantation (HT) is a definitive therapy for refractory heart failure, making it the gold-standard treatment for recipients with end-stage disease. Heart allocation policy (HAP) in the United States was changed on October 18th, 2018. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the new policy on racial disparities in heart transplantation (HT) outcomes. Methods. The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) registry was used to identify adult recipients undergoing isolated HT between 2010 and 2021. Recipients were stratified into pre-HAP (January 2010 to September 2018) vs. post-HAP (October 2018 to September 2021). Recipient race was classified as White, Black, Hispanic, or other. The primary outcome was post-HT mortality. Cox proportional hazard models were used for risk-adjustment in evaluating the independent effect of race on post-HT mortality. Results. A total of 27,403 recipients underwent HT in 143 centers during study period. The proportion of non-Whites undergoing HT increased in the post-HAP era: (pre-HAP: White 66.0%, Black 21.2%, Hispanic 8.2%, Other 4.6% versus post-HAP: White 62.5%, Black 23.2%, Hispanic 9.5%, Other 4.8%; $p<0.001$ ). In risk-adjusted analysis, Black recipients were at higher risk of post-HT mortality in the pre-HAP era (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.22–1.41; $p<0.001$ ) but not in the post-HAP era (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.03–1.34; $p=0.222$ ) compared to White recipients. Other non-White recipients had comparable risk-adjusted post-HT mortality rates compared to White recipients both in the pre-HAP and post-HAP eras. Conclusions. Under the new heart allocation system, a higher percentage of recipients are non-White. In addition, racial disparities in HT outcomes have improved with Black recipients no longer having an increased risk-adjusted mortality following HT.

Outcomes of Over 1000 Heart Transplants Using Hepatitis C-Positive Donors in the Modern Era

BACKGROUND

Advances in hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment and the ongoing opioid epidemic have made HCV-positive donors increasingly available for heart transplantation (HT). This analysis reports outcomes of over 1000 HCV-positive HTs in the United States in the modern era.

METHODS

The United Network of Organ Sharing registry was used to identify HTs between 2015 and 2021. Recipients were grouped by donor HCV status and by nucleic acid amplification test (NAT) positivity. The primary outcome was 1-year mortality, and secondary outcomes included 3-year mortality. A subanalysis compared HCV-positive HT outcomes between NAT-positive and NAT-negative donors. Risk adjustment was performed using Cox regression. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate survival.

RESULTS

The frequency of HCV-positive HT increased from 0.12% of HTs in 2015 to 12.9% in 2021 (P < .001). Of 16,648 HTs, 1170 (7.0%) used an organ from an HCV-positive donor. Recipients of HCV-positive organs were more likely to be HCV seropositive, older, and White. Unadjusted 1- and 3-year survival rates were not significantly different between recipients of HCV-negative and HCV-positive organs. After risk adjustment HCV-positive donor status was not associated with an elevated risk for 1-year (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.71-1.19; P = .518) or 3-year mortality. Among HCV-positive HTs 772 (61.7%) were NAT positive. After risk adjustment NAT positivity did not impact 1-year mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of HCV-positive HTs has increased over 100-fold in recent years. This analysis of the US experience demonstrates that recipients of HCV-positive hearts, including those that are NAT positive, have acceptable outcomes with similar early to midterm survival as recipients of HCV-negative organs.

Disparities in heart transplantation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Heart transplantation remains the gold standard therapy for end stage heart failure, but barriers remain, preventing equitable access to and affecting outcomes following transplantation. The objective of this review is to summarize current and historical literature on the disparities that persist, and to highlight the gaps in evidence for further investigation.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although progress has been made to increase the rates of advanced heart failure therapies to racial/ethnic minority populations and those with lower socioeconomic status, differential access and outcomes remain. The disparities that persist are categorized by patient demographics, social influences, geopolitical factors, and provider bias.

SUMMARY

Disparities in heart transplantation exist, which span a wide spectrum. Healthcare professionals need to be cognizant of these disparities that patients face in terms of access to and outcomes for heart transplantation. Further research and system changes are needed to make heart transplantation a fairer option for patients of varying backgrounds with end stage heart failure.

Editorial: Disparities in transplantation access and outcomes: mind the gap!

Organ transplantation still remains a problem of supply and demand and presents multiple ethical challenges to our society. Despite numerous targeted interventions and policy reforms, women, underrepresented minorities and patients with low socioeconomic status (SES) continue to have unequal access to transplant. The purpose of this special edition is to highlight disparities in access to transplantation and posttransplant outcomes. Acknowledging that these disparities exist is the first step toward interventions aimed at mitigating this long-standing inequity. This issue provides 10 articles that give the background and summarize relevant literature describing these disparities and identify potential areas of intervention. Most of the data relates to the United States but may reflect patterns encounter in most societies. Each manuscript was written by leaders of international teams in the field of patient advocacy, public health or outcome research in transplantation.