How to recognize a suitable pancreas donor: a Eurotransplant study of preprocurement factors

Abstract

Introduction: Because of the increasing demand for pancreas transplantation, more marginal donors are offered to Eurotransplant. The aim of this study was to validate a donor quality score that would facilitate recognition of a suitable pancreas donor among all reported donors.

Materials and methods: We analyzed all 3180 consecutively reported pancreas donors for the period between January 1, 2002 and June 30, 2005 and determined the influence of the preprocurement pancreas suitability score (P-PASS) on the acceptance of a pancreas. We defined a range and point weight for each variable based on clinical expertise and known literature.

Results: Multiple regression analysis using pancreas acceptance as an outcome variable identified P-PASS > or = 17 as a significant cutoff point (P < .001). Pancreata from donors with P-PASS > or = 17 were three times more likely to be refused.

Conclusion: The donor score can help in screening for potential pancreas donors, where an ideal donor has a P-PASS < 17. Our data demonstrate that consideration of a combination of preprocurement factors can help identify a suitable pancreas donor. Therefore, we recommend that a pancreas donor score be calculated for each potential pancreas donor, and all donors with a P-PASS < 17 should be considered for pancreas donation.