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35th AM (2025) - Poster Session
Does Cannabis Use among Organ Donors Impact Transp ...
Does Cannabis Use among Organ Donors Impact Transplant Outcomes
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Pdf Summary
This scoping review examined whether cannabis use among organ donors affects transplant outcomes. The authors included 13 studies—randomized clinical trials, observational, and case-control—focused on deceased or living donors who used cannabis and reported transplant outcomes. Studies excluded were case reports, reviews, expert opinions, and those without relevant outcomes.<br /><br />The review highlighted that cannabis use is rising in the US, with about 20% of the population reporting use, raising concerns due to cannabis’s association with pulmonary and cardiovascular risks—systems critical to organ health. Despite this, its impact on transplant success remains inadequately studied.<br /><br />The 13 studies covered various transplant types: lung (5), kidney (5), heart (2), and pancreas (1), with no prospective studies available. Results showed that in 12 of 13 studies (92%), donor cannabis use was not linked to adverse transplant outcomes. However, one lung transplant study reported that heavy donor cannabis use reduced three-year graft survival. Additionally, two studies noted that living kidney donors who used cannabis were less likely to be eligible for donation.<br /><br />Overall, most evidence from retrospective studies suggests no strong association between donor cannabis use and poor transplant outcomes, but cannabis use may pose a barrier to living kidney donation. The authors emphasize the need for prospective research, particularly focusing on heavy cannabis use and its impact on lung transplantation.<br /><br />The study underscores the importance of further investigation given widespread cannabis use and its potential implications for transplant medicine. Current findings are reassuring but limited by lack of prospective data and the heterogeneity of transplant types studied.<br /><br />This work was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, and reflects the authors’ viewpoints.
Keywords
cannabis use
organ donors
transplant outcomes
lung transplantation
kidney transplantation
heart transplantation
pancreas transplantation
donor eligibility
retrospective studies
prospective research
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