Actuarial Graft Survival Rates Research Articles

Review of Sarcopenia and Testosterone Deficiency With Chronic Liver Disease and Postoperative Liver Transplant Utility of Short-Term Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Chronic liver disease is often associated with testosterone deficiency. However, testosterone replacement does not improve hepatic function or survival with diseased liver. So far, to our knowledge, testosterone replacement therapy after successful livertransplantforfunctional sarcopenia has not been studied. We had 3 goals: (1) define postoperative functional sarcopenia afterlivertransplant with serum testosterone level; (2) examine the role of short-term testosterone replacement therapy with active in-bed exercise of upper and lower extremity joints; and (3) correlate functional sarcopenia with skeletal muscle index and skeletal muscle density in relation to ascites, pleural effusion subtracted body mass index. We evaluated 16 liver transplant recipients who had been receiving posttransplanttestosterone replacementtherapy with functional sarcopenia. Preoperative and postoperative demographics and laboratory and radiological data were retrieved; body mass index, skeletal muscle index, and skeletal muscle density were calculated. For this retrospective study, institutional review board approval was obtained before the electronic database was reviewed and analyzed. Mean testosterone level was 28.3 ng/dL (<5% of expected). Twelve patients received 1 dose, and the remaining 4 patients received >1 dose oftestosterone cypionate, 200 mg. Mean hospital stay was 26 days. Seven patients were discharged home, with the remaining patients to a rehabilitation facility or nursing home. One patient died from a cardiac event, and another patient died from recurrent metastatic malignancy. The 1-year and 5-year actuarial patient and graft survival rates were 93.8% and 87.5%, respectively. Overall, 5 patients were sarcopenic by skeletal muscle index, and 6 patients had poor muscle quality by skeletal muscle density. Testosterone deficiency after liver transplant exists with functional sarcopenia. Two- thirds of such recipients have low skeletal muscle index and/or have low skeletal muscle density. Short- term testosterone replacement therapy with in-bed active exercise provides 5-year patient and graft survival of 87.5%.

Rapid Discontinuation of Prednisone in Kidney Transplant Recipients: 15-Year Outcomes From the University of Minnesota.

Short- and intermediate-term results have been reported after rapid discontinuation of prednisone (RDP) in kidney transplant recipients. Yet there has been residual concern about late graft failure in the absence of maintenance prednisone. From October 1, 1999, through June 1, 2015, we performed a total of 1553 adult first and second kidney transplants-1021 with a living donor, 532 with a deceased donor-under our RDP protocol. We analyzed the 15-year actuarial overall patient survival (PS), graft survival (GS), death-censored GS (DCGS), and acute rejection-free survival (ARFS) rates for RDP compared with historical controls on maintenance prednisone. For living donor recipients, the actuarial 15-year PS rates were similar between groups. But RDP was associated with increased GS (P = 0.02) and DCGS (P = 0.01). For deceased donor recipients, RDP was associated with significantly better PS (P < 0.01), GS (P < 0.01) and DCGS (P < 0.01). There was no difference between groups in the rate of acute or chronic rejection, or in the mean estimated glomerular filtration rate at 15 years. However, RDP-treated recipients had significantly lower rates of avascular necrosis, cytomegalovirus, cataracts, new-onset diabetes after transplant, and cardiac complications. Importantly, for recipients with GS longer than 5 years, there was no difference between groups in subsequent actuarial PS, GS, and DCGS. In summary, at 15 years postkidney transplant, RDP did not lead to decreased in PS or GS, or an increase in graft dysfunction but as associated with reduced complication rates.

NORMOTHERMIC EXTRACORPOREAL PERFUSION IN SITU IN DECEASED ORGAN DONORS WITH IRREVERSIBLE CARDIAC ARREST AND ONE HOUR OF ASYSTOLE. 5-YEAR OUTCOMES OF KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION

Aim.The global shortage of deceased organ donors caused increasing interest to the transplant program based on the use of organs from the donors with sudden irreversible cardiac arrest, or asystolic donors (DCD). Ischemia-reperfusion injury as a result of cardiac arrest remains a key problem that limits the use of organs from DCD. Our clinical study was intended to determine the acceptability of renal transplants derived from the DCD using extracorporeal perfusion in situ after 60 minutes of asystole.Materials and methods.In 2009–2014, St. Petersburg Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) obtained kidneys from 29 DCD with critically expanded warm ischemic time (WIT). The design of this study was approved by the Scientifi c Board and Ethics Committee of the State Research Institute for Emergency Medicine (Decision 7/0615/09). Initially, no one of died patients was considered as potential organ donors. In case of failed advanced CPR the death of a patient was declared initiating the protocol of subnormothermic extracorporeal abdominal perfusion with ECMO, thrombolytics (strepokinase 1.5 mln U), and LD. The procedures were established by the authorized OPO team which arrived with perfusion equipment in 30–40 minutes after declaration of donors’ death. Mean WIT was 58.1 (19.39) minutes (Mean (SD). Resuscitated grafts were transplanted into 58 recipients. The outcomes of transplantation of resuscitated kidneys were compared to those of 112 KTx from 115 brain death donors (BDDs).Results.Immediate functioning of kidney grafts was observed in 28 (48.3%) of 58 recipients. There were 4 cases of primary graft non-function. By the end of the fi rst post-transplant year there was an acute rejection rate of 12.1% (9 episodes of rejection) in the DCD group vs. 23.2% (26 episodes of rejection) in the BDD group (p &lt; 0.05). The actuarial 5-year graft survival rate was 82.8% (n = 48) in DCD group, and 87.5% (n = 98) in BDD group (p &gt; 0.05). Creatinine levels at the end of the fi fth year were 0.094 (0.06) and 0.103 (0.07) mmol/l in DCD and BDD groups, respectively (p &gt; 0.05).Conclusions.Kidneys from DCDs with critically expanded WIT could be successfully used for transplantation if in situ organ “resuscitation” perfusion procedures are included into procurement protocol. The 5-year outcomes meet the generally accepted criteria for grafts’ and recipients’ rates of survival and functioning. This approach could substantially expand the organ donors’ pool.

Single vs dual (en bloc) kidney transplants from donors ≤ 5 years of age: A single center experience.

To compare outcomes between single and dual en bloc (EB) kidney transplants (KT) from small pediatric donors. Monocentric nonprospective review of KTs from pediatric donors ≤ 5 years of age. Dual EB KT was defined as keeping both donor kidneys attached to the inferior vena cava and aorta, which were then used as venous and arterial conduits for the subsequent transplant into a single recipient. Donor age was less useful than either donor weight or kidney size in decision-making for kidney utilization as kidneys from donors < 8 kg or kidneys < 6 cm in length were not transplanted. Post-transplant management strategies were standardized in all patients. From 2002-2015, 59 KTs were performed including 34 dual EB and 25 single KTs. Mean age of donors (17 mo vs 38 mo, P < 0.001), mean weight (11.0 kg vs 17.4 kg, P = 0.046) and male donors (50% vs 84%, P = 0.01) were lower in the dual EB compared to the single KT group, respectively. Mean cold ischemia time (21 h), kidney donor profile index (KDPI; 73% vs 62%) and levels of serum creatinine (SCr, 0.37 mg/dL vs 0.49 mg/dL, all P = NS) were comparable in the dual EB and single KT groups, respectively. Actuarial graft and patient survival rates at 5-years follow-up were comparable. There was one case of thrombosis resulting in graft loss in each group. Delayed graft function incidence (12% dual EB vs 20% single KT, P = NS) was slightly lower in dual EB KT recipients. Initial duration of hospital stay (mean 5.4 d vs 5.6 d) and the one-year incidences of acute rejection (6% vs 16%), operative complications (3% vs 4%), and major infection were comparable in the dual EB and single KT groups, respectively (all P = NS). Mean 12 mo SCr and abbreviated MDRD levels were 1.17 mg/dL vs 1.35 mg/dL and 72.5 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) vs 60.5 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) (both P = NS) in the dual EB and single KT groups, respectively. By transplanting kidneys from young pediatric donors into adult recipients, one can effectively expand the limited donor pool and achieve excellent medium-term outcomes.

Recurrent membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I after kidney transplantation: a 17-year single-center experience.

Most previously published studies of patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I are small or have short follow-up period. We report the outcome of a fairly large cohort of patients followed up for nearly 10 years. Retrospective cohort study. Graft survival, recurrence rate and risk factors for recurrence were analyzed for 43 patients transplanted between the years 1995 and 2012. At a mean overall follow-up of 118 ± 61 months (median, 127.8; range, 4.9-217), 12 patients lost their graft (28%). Death-censored actuarial 15-year graft survival rate was 56%. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis recurred in eight patients (19%) at a median time of 15.4 months (range, 4.4-70 months). Recurrence led to graft loss in seven patients (88%) within a median of 11.6 months (range, 1.3-54 months) from diagnosis. Median graft survival was 30.5 months for recurrence (range, 7-86). Actuarial 15-year graft survival was 71% for nonrecurrent. The risk for recurrence was higher for patients with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B49 (odds ratio, 16.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-246; P=0.038) and HLA DR4 (odds ratio, 15.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-237; P=0.044) alleles. A trend toward increased risk was found with shorter duration of dialysis before transplantation. Four of 16 (25%) living-related versus none of the living-unrelated donors' recipients recurred. The HLA B49, acute tubular necrosis after transplantation, previous transplantations, and Arab origin were all associated with decreased graft and patient survival. Patients without recurrence in the first years should expect an excellent graft survival. Nonrelated living donors should be preferred. The HLA B49 and DR4 alleles may increase the risk for recurrence.

Lack of Impact of Hepatitis C Virus Infection on Graft Survival After Kidney Transplantation—A Portuguese Single-Center Experience

BackgroundHepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is a common problem among kidney transplant (KT) recipients. The long-term burden of HCV infection on graft survival after kidney transplantation is controversial. MethodsWe performed a retrospective study including all renal transplant recipients with HCV infection (n = 34) compared with a control group (n = 80). The prevalence of HCV infection was 2.7%. The median follow-up period was 134 months (11 years). Graft survival and associated risk factors were assessed by means of Cox proportional hazard analysis. ResultsWe found that HCV-positive patients remained on dialysis for longer periods (P = .001) and received transplants at a younger age (P = .03). Actuarial graft survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years after KT were, respectively, 94.1%, 78.1%, and 66.9%, in the HCV-positive group and 94.9%, 89.1%, and 80.4% in the HCV-negative group. Graft survival did not differ significantly between groups (P = .154). A higher incidence of major cardiovascular disease among HCV-positive patients (P = .004) was noted. Multivariate analysis showed that HCV infection was not an important risk factor for graft loss (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.810; 95% confidence interval, 0.925–8.541; P = .069). Among the HCV-positive population, immunosuppression with cyclosporine or azathioprine conveyed better graft survival. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the long-term impact of HCV infection on graft survival after KT is not significant. KT remains a safe and effective modality of renal replacement in HCV-infected patients with end-stage renal disease.

Efficacy of Intravenous Immunoglobulin in the Treatment of Persistent BK Viremia and BK Virus Nephropathy in Renal Transplant Recipients

BK virus–associated nephropathy (BKVN) can cause clinically significant viral infection in renal transplant recipients, leading to allograft dysfunction and loss. The usual management of BKVN involves the reduction of immunosuppression and the addition of leflunomide, quinolones, and cidofovir, but the rate of graft loss remains high. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of treatment with intravenous human immunoglobulin (IVIG) on the outcome of BKVN in renal transplant recipients. Upon diagnosis of BKVN, patients remained on anti-polyomavirus treatment, consisting of the reduction of immunosuppression and the use of leflunomide therapy. Treatment with IVIG was given only to patients who did not respond to 8 weeks of the adjustment of immunosuppression and leflunomide. All 30 patients had persistent BKV viremia and BKVN with their mean BK viral loads higher than the baseline (range, 15,000–2 million copies/mL). Mean peak BK load was 205,314 copies/mL compared with 697 copies/mL after 1 year of follow-up. Twenty-seven patients (90%) had a positive response in clearing viremia. The actuarial patient and graft survival rates after 12 months were 100% and 96.7%, respectively. IVIG administration appeared to be safe and effective in treating BKV viremia and BKVN and preventing graft loss in patients who had inadequate response to immunosuppression reduction and leflunomide therapy.

Impact of Early Biliary Complications On Long Term Graft and Patient Survival After Right Lobe Living Donor Liver Transplantation (LD).

Background: There is a significantly higher incidence of biliary complications after LD compared to deceased donor liver transplantation. It is not clear if this negatively impacts long term patient and graft survival after LD. Methods: Analysis of a prospectively maintained database of 120 LD with >2 year follow up at a single center. Actuarial patient and graft survival rates were estimated using Kaplan Meier methods. Results: 26 patients had biliary complications (bile leak=24;Stricture=12) and all occurred within 90 days post tx. 20 patients were managed by endoscopic stenting (58 procedures in 20 pts);6 required surgical exploration(none in the last 5 yrs). Time-to-complete resolution of leak and stricture was 37 and 82 days respectively. Number of bile ducts, duct to duct vs.roux-en-y, interrupted vs. continuous anastomosis, graft weight were not statistically associated with biliary complications. By Multivariate Cox Proportional Hazards regression model cardiovascular disease pretransplant (p=0.042) and HCV etiology (p=0.026) were associated with higher incidence of biliary complications. The one-year graft survival was lower (88% vs.97%; p=0.034) in biliary complications group, however there was no statistical difference in the 5-year graft survival (p=0.380).Figure: No Caption available.The patient survival was similar between the groups(p=0.331).Figure: No Caption available.Conclusions: Early Biliary complications result in lower 1-year graft survival but do not negatively impact long term patient survival after living donor liver transplantation.

Single-Center Experience of Paired Kidney Exchange: Effects On Outcomes With Variable Shipping Distance and Cold Ischemic Time.

Background: National paired kidney exchange programs benefit patients, but there is a paucity of data on the impact of cold ischemic time (CIT) and shipping distance on transplant outcomes. Methods: This is a single-center study examining outcomes of 53 consecutive cases of paired kidney exchange (2011-2014). One-year actuarial survival rates were determined by Kaplan-Meier analyses. Results: Recipients of paired kidney exchanges received grafts either from our center (n=13, 24.5%) or were shipped from an outside hospital (n=40, 74.5%). For shipped kidneys, the average CIT was 12.5 h (±3.9 h), and the average distance shipped was 1045 mi (±465 mi). Kaplan-Meier one-year actuarial graft survival rates were not statistically different between shipped and non-shipped kidneys, 92% vs 90%, p=0.96, Figure 1. The rate of DGF for shipped kidneys was 10% (4/40) vs 0% (0/13) for non-shipped NKR kidneys (p=0.25). Multivariate analyses controlling for donor age, PRA, HLA match did not demonstrate a statistically significant association between DGF and CIT (p=0.11) and distance shipped (p=0.17). However, the one-year actuarial graft survival rates of kidneys with and without DGF were, 50% and 95.0%, respectively (p=0.01), Figure 2. Conclusions: A statistically insignificant, but clinically significant rate of DGF was observed in living donor kidneys received from external programs. This risk of DGF was not related to CIT and shipping distance in a multivariate analysis. Importantly, DGF was found to be associated with diminished 1-year kidney graft survival. Further study is needed to fully determine the impact of distance and CIT on outcomes of transplants in national paired exchange programs.Figure: No Caption available.Figure: No Caption available.

Alemtuzumab induction with tacrolimus monotherapy in 25 pediatric renal transplant recipients

ALA induction in transplantation has been shown to reduce the need for maintenance immunosuppression. We report the outcome of 25 pediatric renal transplants between 2007 and 2010 using ALA induction followed by tacrolimus maintenance monotherapy. Patient ages were 1-19yr (mean 14±4.1yr). Time of follow-up was 7-51months (mean 26±13months). Tacrolimus monotherapy was maintained in 48% of patients, and glucocorticoids were avoided in 80% of recipients. Mean plasma creatinine and GFR at oneyr post-transplant were 0.88±0.3mg/dL and 104.4±25mL/min/1.73m(2) , respectively. One, two, and three-yr actuarial patient and graft survival rates were 100%. The incidence of early AR (<12months after transplantation) was 12%, while the incidence of late AR (after 12months) was 16%. Forty-four percent of the recipients recovered normal, baseline renal function after an episode of AR, and 44% had persistent renal dysfunction (plasma creatinine 1.0-1.8mg/dL). One graft was lost fouryr after transplantation due to medication non-compliance. Four (16%) patients developed BK or CMV infection. In our experience, ALA induction with tacrolimus monotherapy resulted in excellent short- and mid-term patient and graft survival in low-immunologic risk pediatric renal transplant recipients.

Urgent Liver, Heart, and Lung Transplantation Programs in Italy: Activities and Evaluation of Outcomes

The Italian national transplantation network has set up programs for liver, heart, and lung transplantation in urgent conditions. The aim of this study was to analyze the capability of these programs to meeting needs and their quality.In period between 2008 and 2011, the total number of urgent transplant requests was analyzed by organ, reason, and outcome, namely waiting time, graft origin, and number of transplantations with their one- and three-year graft survivals.There were urgent requests for 312 livers, 268 hearts, and 43 lungs totted among which 72%, 63%, and 79% were met, respectively. Actuarial graft survival rates at one and three years were 62% and 61% for liver and 73.1% and 70.5% for heart transplantations, respectively. The rate of satisfied requests and the graft outcomes showed that the national urgency programs meet the healthcare needs of patients with a short life expectancy, achieving good quality donor-recipient match.

Clinical analysis of 48 cases of kidney transplantation from cardiac death donors

To evaluate the recovery of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving kidney transplant from cardiac death donors, and to assess graft survival in China from this type of donor. A total of 48 cases of patients with ESRD have received the kidneys from cardiac death donors in our hospital between February 2010 and March 2012. We retrospectively analyzed data on the preoperative and postoperative serum creatinine concentrations, on the survival of recipients and allografts with a view to investigating prognoses after this type of kidney transplant. Primary non-function (PNF) did not occur in any of the 48 recipients. Delayed graft function (DGF) occurred in 18 of 48 (37.5%) of kidneys from cardiac death donors, but the occurrence of DGF did not adversely influence patient's survival (P=0.098) or graft survival (P=0.447). Seven of 48 (14.6%) recipients lost their graft. Over a median follow-up period of 8 months (range 0.5-23 months), 39 of 41(95.1%) recipients' graft function had fully recovered. The actuarial graft and patient's survival rates at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after transplantation were 95.7%, 93.0%, 90.0%, 87.5%, and 100%, 94.9%, 90%, 87.5%, respectively. As the legislation of donation after brain death (DBD) has not been ratified in China, the use of kidneys from cardiac death donors might be an effective way to increase the number of kidneys available for transplantation here. Our experience indicates good short- and mid-term outcomes with transplants from cardiac death donors.

Long-Term Impact of Hypertension on Renal Allografts

ObjectiveWe assessed the impact of hypertension on renal transplant function and survival in the past decade after introduction of mycophenolate mofetil and rituximab. MethodsWe examined the 184 patients who underwent renal transplantation from March 1982 to September 1999 and presented at our outpatient clinic from 2001 to 2011. They were divided into group 1 with mean systolic blood pressure (mSBP) >130 mm Hg and Group 2 with mSBP <130 mm Hg. We compared mean serum creatinine (sCr) levels for 9 years and 12-year actuarial graft survival rates. Risk factors for graft survival were assessed by Cox regression analysis. ResultsThere were 75 group 1 and 109 group 2 recipients. The mean sCr level of group 1 was 1.59 ± 0.12 mg/dL and that of group 2 1.54 ± 0.10 mg/dL (P < .0001). Of note was that mean sCr levels of group 1 started to increase about 3 years after transplantation. Although 5-year graft survival rates of both groups were 100%, 9- and 12-year rates among group 1 were 97.3% and 90.5%, respectively, whereas among group 2 they were 99.1% and 98.1%, respectively (P = .0195). Cox univariate and multivariate analyses showed mean SBP to be the only significant risk factor for graft survival (P < .05). ConclusionsWe concluded that the hypertensive group showed deteriorating renal function from around 3 years after transplantation that lowered graft survival afterward, resulting in a clear distinction from the nonhypertensive group at around 10 years after transplantation. Mean SBP was a significant risk factor for graft survival. Hypertension may be a surrogate for a poor renal graft prognosis in the long run.

Indications et résultats de la transplantation intestinale chez l’adulte

Optimised home parenteral nutrition is still, after 35 years of progress, the "gold standard "for benign but chronic intestinal failure. better recognition of chronic intestinal failure, in its multiple facets, is needed to improve Home Parenteral Nutrition by adding associated treatments such as intestinal trophic factors, rehabilitative surgery (reestablishment of colonic continuity, reverse jejunal segment in severe short gut type II) and/or reconstructive surgery (intestinal transplantation for end-stage intestinal failure). Intestinal transplantation is now a mature therapy with formal indications, especially in case of failure of Home Parenteral Nutrition (mainly Home Parenteral Nutrition-associated severe liver disease), where combined Liver-intestine transplantation is indicated before end-stage liver failure occurs. For high-risk patients, 'preemptive' intestinal transplantation alone should be discussed before home parenteral nutrition-related complications occur. Even, if the results in terms of patient survival have improved over the past 20 years, the 5-year survival rate still does not exceed 50%. Thus, each case should be discussed in a dedicated tertiary center. The ESPEN Home Artificial Nutrition Working Group conducted a survey in 2004 to assess potential candidates for intestinal transplantation in France, among the adult population of patients with home parenteral nutrition. The prevalence of potential candidates for intestinal transplantation was estimated at about 20% (about 40 new adult cases per year). Even though surgical techniques for isolated intestine, liver-intestine, and multivisceral transplantation were developed in the 1960s, very few patients were transplanted before 1990, because of inadequate initial immunosuppressive regimens. most patients died within days or months after Intestine transplantation. The discouraging results of the first clinical trials were due to technical complications, sepsis, and the failure of conventional immunosuppression to control rejection. By 1990, the development of tacrolimus-based immunosuppression, as well as improved surgical techniques, the increased array of potent immunosuppressive medications, infection prophylaxis, and better patient selection helped to improve actuarial graft and patient survival rates for all types of intestine transplantation. In adult intestinal transplantation, three kinds of graft can be proposed: isolated small bowel, combined liver and small bowel, and multivisceral transplantation. In isolated small bowel transplantation, the length of the graft ranges between 1.5 and 2 meters, but depends on the size of the recipient (and the abdominal cavity volume, which is reduced). The graft is anastomosed with the recipient's duodenum or remnant proximal jejunum. the distal part of the small bowel graft is on a temporary stoma, in order to allow biopsies for early detection of rejection. Vascular anastomoses are usually performed directly on the aorta for the superior mesenteric artery and either the recipient's portal vein or vena cava for the donor superior mesenteric vein. In combined liver and intestinal transplantation, one venous anastomosis is avoided because the graft is in one piece. Finally, one specificity of this transplantation is the fact that it usually concerns patients with numerous previous abdominal operations and with total or subtotal enterectomy. Thus, the residual abdominal cavity is usually very small, and this can be a major problem for graft insertion. For this reason, abdominal closure is performed with a temporary prosthesis, because even cutaneous closure remains impossible if a compartment syndrome is to be avoided.

Ten-Year Outcome after Rapid Discontinuation of Prednisone in Adult Primary Kidney Transplantation

Rapid discontinuation of prednisone after kidney transplantation potentially allows for minimization of steroid-related side effects. Although intermediate-term data with rapid discontinuation of prednisone have been promising, concern still exists regarding long-term outcomes. The 10-year experience is reported herein. Between October 1, 1999 and December 31, 2010, 1241 adult primary kidney transplants (791 living donor and 450 deceased donor) were performed using a protocol in which prednisone is discontinued after postoperative day 5. The 10-year actuarial recipient and graft survival rates and prednisone-related side effects were studied. Ten-year actuarial patient survival was 71% for living donor transplants and 62% for deceased donor transplants; 10-year graft survival was 61% for living donor transplants and 51% for deceased donor transplants, and was comparable to 10-year Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients national data. Ten-year death-censored graft survival was 79% for living donor transplants and 80% for deceased donor transplants. Ten-year acute rejection rates were 25% for deceased donor transplants and 31% for living donor transplants; 10-year chronic rejection (interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy) rates were 39% for deceased donor transplants and 47% for living donor transplants. For nondiabetic recipients of living donor or deceased donor allografts, the incidence of new-onset diabetes was significantly lower than in historical controls on prednisone (P<0.001). We also found significantly reduced rates of cataracts, avascular necrosis, and cytomegalovirus infection in some subgroups. Prednisone-related side effects can be minimized in a protocol incorporating rapid discontinuation of prednisone for maintenance immunosuppression. Ten-year patient and graft outcomes remain acceptable.

Advanced Donor Age Alone Is Not a Risk Factor for Graft Survival in Kidney Transplantation

Background The use of kidneys from elderly deceased donors has substantially increased organ supply, although it is associated with worse graft function and survival rates. The risk of kidneys from elderly donors as well as expanded criteria donors (ECDs) on kidney transplant outcome was investigated. Patients and methods Seventy-five kidney transplants from ECDs over a 5-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Old age and increased donor risk variables were analyzed separately in relation to graft function and survival. Results Sixty-four of 75 (85.3%) recipients had functioning grafts 5 years posttransplant. The overall actuarial graft survivals from 1 to 5 years were 87.5%, 68.1%, 57.3%, 55.4%, and 47.3%, respectively. Early graft function gave 47 (62.7%) kidneys remarkable actuarial survivals of 100.0%, 88.3%, 75.8%, 75.8%, and 68.4% at 1 to 5 years posttransplant, and 28 (37.3%) kidneys had delayed graft function with substantially decreased actuarial survival rates, ranging from 66.7% to 23.2%. Kidneys from elderly donors had considerable actuarial graft survival rates of 100.0%, 83.3%, 76.9%, 76.9%, and 67.0% from 1 to 5 years, respectively; these were the best graft survival rates compared with kidneys from the other donor categories. The other donor risk variables when associated with advanced age of any had an adverse effect on recipient graft function and survival, but no single risk variable alone, or a combination of any two, showed any statistically significant variability. Conclusion Elderly kidney donors provided a substantial organ pool expansion without affecting patient and graft survival in many patients. ECDs can be utilized safely if adequate measures are taken.

Lessons Learned from a Single Center's Experience with 134 Donation after Cardiac Death Donor Kidney Transplants

Reports of kidney transplantation from donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors describe high rates of delayed graft function (DGF). From April 1, 2003 to October 17, 2010, we performed 134 kidney transplants from DCD donors including 120 (90%) from standard-criteria donors (SCDs) and 14 (10%) from expanded-criteria donors (ECDs). Nineteen kidneys were recovered from donors managed with extracorporeal interval support for organ retrieval (EISOR) after cardiac arrest to minimize ischemic injury. Comparison of donor and recipient characteristics found no differences for cases managed with or without EISOR. Overall actuarial patient survival rates were 93%, 91%, and 89% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively, with a mean follow-up of 31 months. Overall actuarial kidney graft survival rates were 89%, 76%, and 76% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Actuarial graft survival rates of DCD ECD kidneys were 58% and 48% at 1 and 3 years, compared with 90% and 79% at 1 and 3 years for non-ECD grafts (p = 0.013). DGF occurred in 73 patients (54%) overall and was reduced from 55% to 21% (p = 0.016) with the use of EISOR in locally recovered kidneys. The mean resistance value on machine perfusion and the mean estimated glomerular filtration rate 1 month after transplantation were both improved (p < 0.05) in kidneys from donors managed with EISOR. Mean initial hospital stay was reduced from 8.0 to 5.0 days in patients receiving kidneys recovered with EISOR (p = 0.04). EISOR is associated with a lower rate of DGF, lower graft resistance on machine perfusion, and shorter initial hospitalization. Kidneys from DCD SCDs have excellent medium-term outcomes and represent an important means of expanding the donor pool. Kidneys from DCD ECDs have inferior outcomes.

Optimal utilization of expanded criteria deceased donors for kidney transplantation

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

Different Etiologies of Graft Loss and Death in Asian Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Report From Thai Transplant Registry

Background Kidney transplantation is the most performed solid organ transplantation in Thailand. Over 4000 patients have received kidney transplantation from 23 centers within the kingdom. This study sought to demonstrate the causes of graft loss and death in Thai patients receiving kidney transplant during the past decade. Patients and Methods The Thai Transplant Registry database was used to evaluate the causes of graft loss and death. This database was established since 1997, a total of 2298 kidney transplants were available for analysis. Graft loss was defined as return to dialysis, graft removal, retransplantation, or death of the recipients. Patient survival was analyzed by all deaths. Results Among 2298 recipients, 59% received organs from deceased donors. The mean age at transplantation was 42 years (SD 12) and 61% were male. The most common identified causes of the end-stage renal disease were chronic glomerulonephritis (25.3%) and hypertensive nephropathy (11.3%); half of those were unknown. Actuarial graft survival rates at 1 and 5 years were 89% and 73%, respectively. The common causes of graft loss were chronic allograft nephropathy (53%), acute rejection (15%), death with a functioning graft (15%), and transplant renal artery diseases (7%). The greatest proportion (64%) of deaths was infection owing to septicemia and/or pulmonary infection. The others were from cardiovascular deaths (12%), liver disease (6%), and malignancy (4%). Conclusion Graft survival rates were comparable with previous reports. However, the proportion of death with functioning graft and cardiovascular death as a cause of graft and patient loss is lower than that of Caucasian populations.

Long Term Follow-up and Outcome of Liver Transplantation for Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) is a leading indication for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). To investigate the long-term outcome of OLT for ALC compared with patients transplanted for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. From 1987 to 2001, 49 OLT were performed for ALC and 173 for HCV. From these contemporary groups we matched 1:2 ALC patients (cases) to 98 HCV (controls). The following variables were analyzed: survival, retransplantation, rejection, primary nonfunction, infections, de novo tumors, cardiovascular and neurologic complications, and alcoholic recurrence. Actuarial survival rate at 9 years was comparable for cases and controls. Actuarial graft survival rate at 9 years was significantly higher in cases (78% vs. 60%; P=0.026). The retransplantation rate was higher in controls (21% vs. 4%; P=0.007). Post-OLT complications were not significantly different. The alcoholic recidivism rate was 28% without influence on patients or graft survival, whereas relapse of HCV caused the majority of death in controls (30%; P=0.042). At multivariate analysis retransplantation was the only predictor of patient survival (odds ratio: 4.35; 95% confidence interval: 2.16-8.74; P<0.001), whereas HCV was associated with a 2-fold probability of graft failure (odds ratio: 1.97; 95% confidence interval: 1.02-3.81; P=0.032). The long-term outcome of OLT for ALC is comparable to that for HCV, even if graft survival is significantly better among ALC. These data support ALC as an excellent indication for OLT.