Examining the Impacts of Illicit Overdose Death on Solid Organ Transplantation

Caren Rose Opioid overdoses claimed 4460 lives in Canada in 2018 (1/3 of these in BC). As the overdose crisis continues, one consequence is its role in changing the landscape of solid organ transplantation (SOT). In 2018, 25% of deceased organ donors in BC died as a result of overdose, doubling the rate in previous years. Donation rates are climbing with increased overdose deaths, yet theoretical concerns about donors with increased risk of HIV/HepC/HepB remain a barrier to optimizing use of organs from all potential donors. This retrospective registry study provides estimates of disease transmission and short-term survival after SOT, in order to confirm the safe use of SOT from overdose donors.

BC CDC Presenters

10/22/2019 7:35:00 PM