Guidance for Facing Dilemmas of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Clinicians in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: An Iranian Consensus

Seied Asadollah Mousavi; Sorosh Rad; Tahereh Rostami; Mohammad Vaezi; Hosein Kamranzadeh; Davood Babakhani; Sahar Tavakoli; Maryam Barkhordar; Tanaz Bahri; Amirabbas Hedayatiasl; Azadeh Kiumarsi

doi:10.31557/apjcc.2020.5.S1.15-18

Authors

Seied Asadollah Mousavi Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Sorosh Rad Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Tahereh Rostami Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Vaezi
Hosein Kamranzadeh Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Davood Babakhani
Sahar Tavakoli
Maryam Barkhordar Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Tanaz Bahri Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Amirabbas Hedayatiasl
Azadeh Kiumarsi Pediatric Hematologist and Oncologist

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcc.2020.5.S1.15-18

Keywords:

COVID-19; pandemic; hematopoietic stem cell transplant

Abstract

Background:COVID-19 has been declared as a public health emergency and a pandemic by World Health Organization. Among high-risk patients infected by the virus, hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are vulnerable to severe presentation of this infection. Thus, the necessity for precise strategies in dealing with HSCT recipients in this pandemic seems inevitable.
Methods: We discussed the dilemmas brought up by the emergence of COVID-19 in the management of HSCT recipients, through a virtual panel of experts, considering the latest available records about COVID-19. About each enquiry, we have provided the consensus of the clinicians and paraclinicians in our center.
Recommendations: We agreed to choose more precautious strategies and less optimal policies. The amendments aim to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in our patients and also in our health care provider team.