Evolution in allocation rules for renal, hepatic, pancreatic and intestinal grafts

Abstract

Organ transplantation is the victim of his own success. The results of transplantation are excellent and more patients are activated on the waiting list. The need for organs exceeds the supply. Which criteria are used to allocate available grafts to patients on the waiting list ? Organ allocation and finding the "best match" between donor and recipients, is the goal of Eurotransplant, the organ sharing organization for seven European countries (Austria, Croatia, Germany, Luxemburg, Slovenia, The Netherlands and Belgium). Last decade, the allocation system has switched from a "center-driven" (organ allocated to a center) to a "patient-driven" system (organ allocated to a particular patient). For the allocation of abdominal organs some general allocation rules are followed: blood group compatibility, priority for high urgencies. The allocation of kidneys is based on a point score system based on waiting time, HLA and donor location (to reduce the cold ischemia time). In addition to this standard allocation procedure, there are still specific procedures for pediatric recipients and for candidates > or = 65 year old. There is also an "acceptable" mismatch program for recipients at high immunological risk. The liver allocation system recently changed and is now based on the MELD score, a formula that calculates the probability of death within 3 months on the waiting list. For pancreas and intestine, the system is based on blood group, medical urgency, waiting time, donor region and weight (for intestine).