Landscape of US Waitlist Registrants who Received Transplantation Abroad
Dr. Allan Massie was interviewed during WTC22025 by our Social Media Editor, Macey Levan, about the recent publication in Transplantation.
This study examined the trend of US transplant waitlist candidates receiving transplants abroad from 2010 to 2023. On average, 58.4 transplants occurred annually, peaking at 80 in 2017. Kidney transplants were the most common, accounting for 92.1% of cases. Popular destinations included the Philippines, India, Mexico, China, and Iran. During the COVID-19 pandemic, India and Mexico saw the least decline in transplant numbers. Most recipients were US citizens or residents, but nonresidents and Asian candidates were more likely to travel abroad for transplants. Understanding these patterns is crucial for managing posttransplant care and addressing resource impacts on destination countries.
