title: Policies regarding the transplantation of hepatitis C-positive candidates and donor organs.
abstract: Whether hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive candidates or donor organs should undergo transplantation remains controversial. Seventy-two thoracic transplantation centers responded to a survey soliciting specific information about policies regarding the listing of HCV-positive candidates and the use of HCV-positive donor organs. Most centers (64%) list HCV-positive candidates for heart transplantation. Twenty-six percent of centers refuse to use HCV-positive organs, whereas the remainder restrict the use of HCV-positive organs to status 1 recipients or HCV-positive candidates. More information is needed regarding the clinical outcomes of HCV-positive candidates and recipients of HCV-positive organs before clear-cut candidate selection and organ allocation policies can be established.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Transplantation, Minneapolis Heart Institute and Foundation, University of Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Lake
authors.forename: C I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: LaForest
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pritzker
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Emery
mesh_terms: D004992:Ethics, Medical; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement; D016312:Treatment Refusal; D014481:United States