Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Liver Transplantation: Lessons from the First Year of the Pandemic

Abstract

Over the last year, the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has continued to spread across the globe, causing significant morbidity and mortality among transplantation candidates and recipients. Patients with end-stage liver disease awaiting liver transplantation and patients with a history of liver transplantation represent vulnerable populations, especially given the high rates of associated medical comorbidities in these groups and their immunosuppressed status. In addition, concerns surrounding COVID-19 risk in this patient population have affected rates of transplantation and general transplantation practices. Here, we explore what we have learned about the impact of COVID-19 on liver transplantation candidates and recipients as well as the many key knowledge gaps that remain.