Strategies to Mitigate the Impact of COVID 19 Pandemic on Organ Donation and Kidney Transplantation in Latin America.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: COVID-19 pandemics have severely affected Latin America. It has resulted in SARS-CoV-2-associated clinical adverse outcomes, but also in social and economic deterioration. Consequently, it generated a significant negative impact on organ donation and kidney transplantation (KTx) activity in our region, leading to a negative impact on these patients' survival and quality of life. For this reason, this article aimed to describe applicable logistics, organizational and clinical strategies to mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on kidney donation and transplantation in our region. RECENT FINDINGS: Absenteeism to hemodialysis sessions in patients with end-stage renal disease has been described in up to 54% in Latin America. Not surprisingly, there was a reduction in organ donation and transplants between 21 and 59%. Also, there is a higher incidence of COVID-19 positive tests in the waiting list population than KTx recipients (9.9%). However, there was a higher mortality rate in KTx recipients than the waiting list population (32%). Additionally, 59% of living donor kidney transplant programs suspended the evaluation of new donors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout this manuscript, we summarize some practical tips to resume organ donation and KTx during pandemics in Latin America, such as selecting healthy donors and recipients, universal SARS-CoV-2 screening, implementing COVID-19 accessible pathways, and telehealth as a standard, and postpone all non-urgent visits.

New Trends and Evidence for the Management of Renal Angiomyolipoma: A Comprehensive Narrative Review of the Literature.

Treatment of renal angiomyolipoma (AML) seeks to reduce related complications and preserve kidney function. The purpose of this article was to perform an updated literature review on the diagnosis, therapeutic options, and criteria for invasive intervention in patients with renal AML. Computerized tomography is the standard diagnostic method for renal AML, while definitive diagnosis is made by histopathology. The management of choice in most cases is active surveillance (AS), with a clinical and imaging follow-up protocol. In high-risk cases, therapeutic management should be considered, with alternatives such as selective arterial embolization (SAE), nephron-sparing surgery (NSS), and mTOR inhibitors in selected patients. Renal AML in women of childbearing age, those with growth >0.25 cm/year, intralesional aneurysms >5 mm, and clinically significant symptoms may qualify for active treatment. Despite the limitations derived from the available evidence, it is possible to consider SAE, NSS, and the use of mTOR inhibitors as management alternatives for selected patients.