Update Multi-Organ Allocation for Continuous Distribution of Lungs

At a glance

Background

The OPTN Board of Directors approved the proposal Establish Continuous Distribution of Lungs in December 2021. This proposal included an update to allocation of multi-organ transplants with lungs, using a candidate’s composite allocation score to rank them on a match. The score chosen was meant to cover 95% of lung multi-organ transplants currently happening. After receiving additional data, the Committee found that the score initially selected would not maintain access for as many patients as expected.

Supporting media

Presentation

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Proposed changes

• Update composite allocation score to qualify for a multi-organ transplant involving lungs from 28 to 25
• Goal is to maintain access for lung multi-organ transplant patients in the new continuous distribution system for 95% of the transplants that are currently done

Anticipated impact

• What it's expected to do
  • Make sure that current patient access to lung multi-organ transplants is kept about the same as it is now

• What it won't do
  • Does not change original intent of multi-organ transplant in the continuous distribution of lungs policy

Terms to know

• Continuous Distribution: A new system of organ allocation that considers individual patient and donor attributes as part of a composite allocation score. This score is then used to rank candidates for every organ offer.
• Composite Allocation Score: The total number of points assigned to a candidate on the waiting list, which would determine their rank on a match run.
• Multi-organ candidate: A patient who needs to receive more than one organ transplant at one time.

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