Delayed Graft Function in Kidney Retransplantation: United Network for Organ Sharing Data With Linked Primary and Retransplant

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IntroductionThere are several articles exploring the risk factors for primary delayed graft function (DGF). However, current literature does not include many resources on the risk factors for DGF when it is a recipient's second kidney transplant or look at short-term graft and patient survival of DGF retransplants. MethodsUnited Network for Organ Sharing data from January 2008 to June 2021 were analyzed. Pancreas transplants, multi-organ transplants, and lost to follow-up transplants were excluded. Second transplant patients with DGF were identified. Multivariate logistic regression models based on the primary and second transplant characteristics were created. Survival analysis was performed with Kaplan-Meier methodology and assessed with log-rank test. ResultsA total of 2964 second kidney transplants were identified. Rate of DGF in the second transplant was 28.4% (843/2964) and 49.2% of them had a prior DGF in their first transplant (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that occurrence of DGF (odds ratio [OR] 1.5, P < 0.001) and graft loss due to acute rejection (OR 1.2, P < 0.005) in the primary transplant were predictors of reappearing DGF in the second transplant. Dialysis at transplant was the greatest risk factor from the second transplant (OR 3.539, P < 0.001). There was a decreased graft survival after 12 mo (77% versus 49% with log t-test <0.001) in the second transplant. However, DGF was not significantly associated with patient survival. ConclusionsThis study shows the interaction between primary and second transplant in developing DGF. Survival analysis shows lower graft survival for retransplants in the case of DGF. This study opens the possibility of identifying additional risk factors for patients undergoing retransplant surgeries.