Catalonia increases organ transplants by 27% and breaks all records

Catalonia went back to broke all his records last year, where she reached a total of 1,346 organ transplants, has 26.6% more than in 2021. All hospitals exceeded their highest figures. The Catalan public health system had never reached this figure, which was made public on Thursday by the Public Health Office. Catalan Organization of Transplantation (Ocatt). Catalonia is ruler of Spain in transplants and one of the first in the world. Spain and United States are the countries that make the most donations and transplants in the world. In Catalonia, the Vall d’Hebron Hospital was once again the leader with 363 transplants performed (312 in adults and 51 in children).

In addition, 2022 was the second best year in the history of Catalonia in terms of cadaveric donors of valid organs: there were 357, only five most of which comes from traffic accidents. This is positive because they can only donate if they arrive alive at the hospital, which means they increase the chances of getting a donation. survival figures. Of these 357 donors, others 15 donors were in a situation of “post-euthanasia” and all these people have made it possible to 56 organ transplants. Donations increased by 24% compared to 2021, thanks to the “effort” of donors and families. The website profile of the donor is a 60-year-old man who died of asystole following a stroke.

“These stratospheric numbers suggest that our transplant system is entering a a very high level of maturity, underlined the director of Ocatt, Jaume Tort, during a press conference. But, in addition to the fact that the clinical complexity and improved surgical techniques (for example, robotic transplantation in the field of kidney transplantation), what these figures also demonstrate is the importance of the use of information technology. the “generosity” of Catalan society and the great “feeling of altruism”.

Of the 1,346 organs transplanted in Catalonia in 2022, 949 were kidney, 203 liver, 54 heart and 107 lung transplants. In addition, 61 pediatric transplants were performed, a figure that is added to that of the previous year. registration number, and Tort pointed out that “there is no waiting list for children” to access a transplant.

At the same time, some 15,929 patients benefited from the distributed fabrics by the Bank of Blood i Teixits. In 2022, 2,665 tissues were collected from 1,749 donors. The website Don increases by 14.8% compared to 2021 and the fabrics purchased increased by 14.5% compared to 2021.

In Catalonia there was also a 17% refusal of donation, a “very low” figure. This means that 83% of families accepted a transplant. “We would like to thank [estas cifras] to the society. Someone who has lost everything and is able to think of others…”, said Teresa Pont, director of the Vall d’Hebron transplant program. Catalonia has succeeded in transplanting nearly four organs per donor.

Kidney transplant

The most important graft is that of the the kidney. In 2022, Catalonia carried out a total of 1.5 million euros in projects. 949 kidney transplants, which means that the territory performs more than 50% of this type of transplants in all of Spain. In addition, to have access to a transplant of each type of organ, there are very few transplants in Spain. waiting list, about 40 to 45 patients, which is “minimal,” according to Tort. ” It is great news to be able to perform a transplant in such a short time,” he said. Currently, there are 1,192 people on the transplant waiting list in Catalonia.

In Catalonia, in 2022 there were a total of 178 living kidney donors, 22.8% more than in 2021. The majority of living donors are women (63%), with an average age of 57. The majority of living donor recipients are men (66%).

“Kidney transplantation involves a a better quality of life, is the best treatment option for these patients. Moreover, if done preventively, avoid dialysis. This year’s kidney transplant exceeded all expectations, proving that the very generous company and there is a very high sense of selflessness,” he said. Mireia Musquera, of the transplant program at the Clinic.

Next to her was a kidney transplant patient, Francisco Caballero. ” I have one I have a feeling of gratitude towards the families and the doctors who are doing a tremendous job so that we can live again,” he said. He has been a chronic patient for 35 years and has gone through three transplants. With his wife, he entered a cross transplant program (because the two were incompatible) and the doctors performed a “three-partner transplant” which saved lives.