Long-Term Outcomes of Kidney Transplantation from Elderly Donors

Abstract

Summary Introduction. During the last years the percentage of elderly organ donors has increased significantly and may impact results of kidney transpalantations (KT). Aim of the Study. Was to analyse results of kidney transplantation from elderly donors. Materials and methods. In this study we analysed results of all consecutive KT from deceased donors (DD) performed in a single transplantation center during the period from 01.01.2004 till 31.12.2007, with the following exclusion criteria: unavailability of 5-year follow-up and transplantation from DD aged from 50 to 59 years. In result the study population consisted of 193 KT recipients, and all cases were divided into two groups according to donor age: group A (donor age >60 years, 27 KT from 18 DD, mean age of donors 62,6 + 2,1 years, mean age of recipients 58,0 + 9,0 years), and group B (donor age <49 years, 166 KT from 98 DD, mean age of donors 35,4 + 10,2 years, mean age of recipients 40,5 + 14,7 years). Groups were compared for posttransplant outcomes and 5-year graft and patient survival. Results. During the study period the number of transplantations from donors aged >60 years amounted to 10.5% of all transplantations. The use of elderly donors was not associated with worse early posttrransplant results; in long-term it was associated with higher patient mortality and lower rate of death-censored graft losses, however analysis of survival revealed difference only in patient 5-year survival (p=0.001). Conclusion. KT from older donors when allocated to age-matched recipients ensures acceptable outcomes and should be continued in the future with recommendation to keep cold ischemia time as short as possible and to introduce urgent analysis of donor kidney “zero” biospy.