Optimal utilization of expanded criteria deceased donors for kidney transplantation

Abstract

Background: The utilization of kidney grafts from expanded criteria donors (ECDs) needs to be evaluated within the context of critical organ shortage and graft function and survival. The impact of donor risk variables on kidney transplantation (KTx) outcome was investigated.

Methods: A retrospective review of 75 KTxs from ECDs over a 5-year period was performed. Donor risk factors were analyzed separately and correlated with recipients graft function and survival.

Results: Sixty-four recipients out of 75 (85.3%) had functioning grafts 5 years post-transplant. The overall actuarial graft survival rates at 1 through 5 years were 87.5, 68.1, 57.3, 55.4, and 47.3%, respectively. Forty-seven kidneys (62.7%) had early function with actuarial survival of 100.0, 88.3, 75.8, 75.8, and 68.4% at 1-5 years post-transplant, and 28 (37.3%) grafts presented delayed function with substantially decreased actuarial survival, ranging from 66.7 to 23.2%. KTxs from elderly donors had remarkable actuarial survival rates ranging from 100.0 to 67.0%, at 1-5 years, being the best graft survival rates among KTxs from other donor categories. The other donor risk variables when associated with old age had an adverse effect on recipient graft function and survival, but none alone or a combination of the two, showed any significant statistical variability.

Conclusion: ECDs significantly increased the kidney pool and can be utilized safely if adequate measures are taken.