Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant Outcomes Research Articles

Individual- and Community-Level Socioeconomic Status and Deceased Donor Renal Transplant Outcomes.

This study examined the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), race, and ethnicity and clinical outcomes following deceased donor kidney transplant (DDKT) at a high-volume transplant center. This retrospective cohort study used regression models and survival analyses to examine the relationship between individual- and community-level SES, race, and ethnicity and DDKT outcomes (i.e., delayed graft function, graft failure, mortality) adjusting for potential confounders. The analytic sample included 3366 patients; 40.7% (n = 1370) were female, the mean age was 54.7 (SD = 13.3) years, 49.3% were non-Hispanic White, and the median follow-up time was 39.5 months (IQR = 24.2-68.1). Patients living in the most disadvantaged communities (using the US Census data) had a higher likelihood of delayed graft function (adjusted relative risk [RR] = 1.12, p = 0.042) and a higher hazard of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.32, p = 0.025) compared to patients living in the least disadvantaged communities. Patients without a high school diploma had a higher risk of delayed graft function compared to patients with an associate degree or more (RR = 1.37, p < 0.001). Patients with public insurance coverage had a higher risk of delayed graft function (RR = 1.24, p < 0.001) and a higher hazard of mortality (HR = 1.37, p < 0.001) and graft failure (HR = 1.71, p < 0.001) compared to patients without public insurance. There were no differences in graft failure or mortality by race and ethnicity. SES was not consistently associated with outcomes following DDKT; however, many of the predictors were associated with delayed graft function. With a large and diverse sample size, these findings further the heterogeneity of the present renal transplant research suggesting the need for further investigation to guide implementation of innovative strategies and interventions.

WTP2.9 Early Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant outcomes: Results from a Prospective National Transplant Access to Theatre (NTACT) Audit

Abstract Background Renal transplantation is increasing, yet there is a paucity of data describing post-operative complications. Therefore, this national audit aims to identify the incidence of early complications that impact patient outcomes. Methods We conducted a multicentre, prospective audit of adult deceased donor kidney-only transplants across 14 UK transplant centres between February and September 2022. Data was collected on significant checkpoints pre, intra and post-operatively, assessing for 30-day complication and mortality rates. Data was recorded on RedCap and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results 476 kidney-only transplants were recorded, (59 excluded for incomplete/incorrect data). Of 417, 215 were donation after brainstem death (DBD) organs and 202 were donation after circulatory death (DCD) organs. The 30-day mortality was 0.47% (n=2/417). The primary graft function rate was 81%. The 30-day readmission rate was 18%, and median number of readmissions was 1 (IQR: 1-3). Of the readmitted recipients, 92% were readmitted once and 8% were readmitted more than. The 30-day reoperation rate was 12%, and median number of reoperations was 1 (IQR: 1-2), of these, 91% had 1 reoperation and 9% had more than 1 reoperation. Most common indications for reoperations were bleeding 49% (n=25), assessment of graft perfusion 17% (n=9), and wound dehiscence 10% (n=5). We noted a difference in rates of reoperations between DCD and DBD organs, 16% and 9% respectively, however, this was not significant. There was no significant difference in the readmission and mortality rate between DBD and DCD organs. Conclusion The overall early postoperative complication rates and 30-day mortality following deceased donor kidney transplantation are low.

Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation Outcomes at a Sri Lankan Center: A Comprehensive Single-Center Analysis.

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes significant morbidity and mortality in patients and incurs a huge burden on healthcare expenses globally. Renal replacement therapy becomes imperative when patients reach end-stage renal disease. Kidney transplant is the best modality of choice for the majority of patients, and deceased donor kidney transplantation is the major contributor in the majority of countries. We present an outcome study in Sri Lanka for deceased donor kidney transplantation. Methodology This is an observational study conducted at the Nephrology Unit 1 at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, in patients who had undergone deceased donor kidney transplantation from July 2018 to mid-2020. We studied the outcomes of these patients for one year, including delayed graft function, acute rejection, infection, and mortality. Ethical clearance was obtained from the ethical review committee of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, and the University of Colombo. Results The study included 27 participants with a mean age of 55 ± 9.519 years. Diabetes mellitus (69.2%), hypertension (11.5%), chronic glomerulonephritis (7.7%), chronic pyelonephritis (7.7%), and obstructive uropathy (3.8%) were the etiological factors of CKD. Basiliximab was used as an induction agent, and a tacrolimus-based triple-drug regimen was used for maintenance in all patients. The mean cold ischemic time was 9 ± 3.861 hours. The majority (44%) of recipients had an O-positive blood group. At one year, the mean serum creatinine was 1.40 ± 0.686 mg/dL, and the mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 62 ± 21.281 mL/minute/1.73 m2. Delayed graft function occurred in 25.9% of the recipients, and22.2% had acute transplant rejection. Postoperative infection was observed in 44.4% of recipients. One year after transplantation, 22% of the recipients died. Infection was the cause of death in 83% of recipients (five of six patients). The causes of death in the study sample werepneumonia (50%), including pneumocystis pneumonia (17%), myocardial infarction (17%), mucormycosis (16%), and otherinfections (17%). There was no significant association between outcomes at one year with age, gender, causes of CKD, or postoperative complications. Conclusions Our study found that the one-year survival rate following deceased donor kidney transplantation in Sri Lanka is relatively low, with infections being the leading cause of mortality. The high infection rate during the early post-transplant period underscores the need for enhanced infection prevention and control measures. Although we did not observe any significant association between the outcomes and the variables studied, it is important to note that the small sample size of our study may have influenced this finding. Future research with larger sample sizes may provide more insights into the factors influencing post-transplant outcomes in Sri Lanka.

March 2021 New Kidney Allocation: How Did the New Changes Affect the Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant Outcomes?

Given the shortage of kidney donations relative to the ever-increasing demand, there is an ongoing need to utilize available donor organs efficiently and fairly. The purpose of the deceased donor Kidney Allocation System is to optimize and equalize organ access for candidates nationwide. We investigated the outcomes of kidney transplant cases before and after the new allocation placement in March 2021 and the effect of the new allocation system on these outcomes. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the recipients. Outcomes in recipients of renal allografts were compared before and after the changes in March 2021 to the Kidney Allocation System. There were 333 (73.7%) renal allografts transplanted before the 2021 new allocation, and 119 (26.3%) recipients received their renal allografts after the new allocation. The rate of delayed graft function was 33.3% in the preallocation group and 38.65% in the postallocation group (P = .29). The rate for patient readmission within 30 days was compared between the groups and did not show a statistically significant difference (37.8% vs 39.5%; P = .75). The 1-year graft survival rate was 97.5% in the postallocation group and 95.5% in the preallocation group (P = .526). The 1-year patient survival rate was 98.3% in the postallocation group and 95.8% in the preallocation group (P = .499). This study provides reassurance in finding no statistically significant differences between patient outcomes before and after the implementation of the March 2021 change to the Kidney Allocation System. However, the new allocation measures would help for a more equal distribution of the kidneys.

A comparative study of recipients' outcomes receiving a kidney from the same deceased donor: An observational study

Introduction: Kidney transplantation is the renal replacement therapy (RRT) of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease. Although outcomes of deceased-donor kidney transplantation are inferior when compared to live donor kidney transplantation, they are still significantly better than being on chronic dialysis. There are very few studies comparing transplant outcomes between two kidneys obtained from the same donor. Aims: The aim of this study is to compare the graft and patient outcome of the kidneys of the same deceased donor transplanted into two different recipients. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective observational study done at the tertiary care center in South India over 2 years. A total of 29 pairs of deceased-donor transplants were followed up with one-half performed at donor institute (Group 1) and the same number performed at another network hospital (Group 2). Outcomes between the recipients of the two kidneys were compared. Data were statistically analyzed. Results: The majority of donors were relatively young (with a mean age of 37 years) and did not have multiple comorbidities. 1st kidney went to the donor hospital, whereas 2nd kidney was sent to other hospitals in the network. Cold ischemia times were higher (10.3 h vs. 6.5 h) for the 2nd kidneys. The majority of Group 1 patients did not receive induction, whereas 100% of Group 2 patients received basiliximab induction. The incidence of acute rejection (antibody plus cellular rejection) was numerically less in Group 2 compared to Group 1 but was not found to be statistically significant (P = 0.227). The incidence of acute cellular rejection in Group 1 was more compared to Group 2, and was found to be statistically significant (P = −0.038). Graft survival was similar in both groups (95.7 in Group 1 vs. 95.8 in Group 2). Patient survival was similar in both groups (P = −0.555) with a mean follow-up 25.9 months in Group 1 versus 24.6 months in Group 2. The choice of induction agent did not affect the graft or patient survival. In addition, there was no significant difference in the incidence of infections or mortality rate. Conclusion: Overall, the outcomes in the paired kidneys from the same donor transplanted to different recipients at different institutes had similar outcomes. The choice of induction agent did not have any influence on the overall graft and patient survival.

Timing of Kidney Clamping and Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant Outcomes.

The fact that metabolism and immune function are regulated by an endogenous molecular clock that generates circadian rhythms suggests that the magnitude of ischemia reperfusion, and subsequent inflammation on kidney transplantation, could be affected by the time of the day. We evaluated 5026 individuals who received their first kidney transplant from deceased heart-beating donors. In a cause-specific multivariable analysis, we compared delayed graft function and graft survival according to the time of kidney clamping and declamping. Participants were divided into those clamped between midnight and noon (ante meridiem [am] clamping group; 65%) or clamped between noon and midnight (post meridiem [pm] clamping group; 35%), and, similarly, those who underwent am declamping (25%) or pm declamping (75%). Delayed graft function occurred among 550 participants (27%) with am clamping and 339 (34%) with pm clamping (adjusted odds ratio, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.67 to 0.98; P=0.03). No significant association was observed between clamping time and overall death-censored graft survival (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.77 to 1.10; P=0.37). No significant association of declamping time with delayed graft function or graft survival was observed. Clamping between midnight and noon was associated with a lower incidence of delayed graft function, whereas declamping time was not associated with kidney graft outcomes.

Impact of donor obesity on allograft outcomes after kidney transplantation adjusted for kidney donor profile index - a national cohort study.

Obesity in deceased kidney donors is a known risk factor for poor allograft outcomes. The Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) has been introduced to predict graft survival in deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT). Obesity, however, is not included in KDPI. We study the impact of donor obesity on DDKT outcomes after adjusting for organ quality by KDPI. The Organ Procurement Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing (OPTN/UNOS) data of DDKT from 2005 to 2017, with donor BMI≥18.5kg/m2 and weight >80kg were included. There was a total of 66382 DDKTs with 10917 death-censored graft failures. For KDPI≤30%, the 10-year death-censored graft survival (DCGS) rates among donor BMI<30, 30-35, 35-40, 40-45 and ≥45kg/m2 groups were 75.9%, 75.4%, 76.1%, 74.9% and 79.6%, respectively. For KDPI>30%, 10-year DCGS rates were 67.5%, 66.1%, 65.9%, 62.6% and 63.2%, respectively. After adjusting for known confounding factors including KDPI, donor obesity was not independently associated with an increased risk for graft failure. In DDKT with donor weight >80kg, donor obesity was not associated with a lower long term DCGS compared to non-obesity when KDPI≤30%.

Effect of Recipient Hepatitis C Status on Outcomes of Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been deemed detrimental to kidney transplantation (KT) outcomes. Breakthrough HCV treatment with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications improved the probability of HCV+ kidney use for KT even in noninfected (HCV-) recipients. We hypothesized that recipient HCV infection influences deceased donor KT outcomes, and this effect could be modified by donor HCV status and use of DAAs. We conducted a retrospective cohort study based on data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network as of September 2018. A mate kidneys analysis was performed with HCV+ and HCV- recipients of solitary adult KT from ABO-compatible deceased donor between January 1994 and June 2018. We selected donors where 1 KT recipient was HCV+ and the mate kidney recipient was HCV-. Both HCV- and HCV+ donors were identified and analyzed separately. Outcomes, including survival of patients, grafts, and death-censored grafts, were compared between the groups. Four-hundred and twenty-five HCV+ and 5,575 HCV- donor mate kidneys were transplanted in HCV-discrepant recipients. HCV+ recipients of HCV- donor had worse patient and graft survival (adjusted hazard ratio 1.28; 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.37 and adjusted hazard ratio 1.26; 95% CI 1.18 to 1.34, respectively) and death-censored grafts (adjusted hazard ratio 1.24; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.34) compared with HCV- recipients. Comparable patient and graft survival and death-censored grafts were found in recipients of HCV+ donors, regardless of recipient HCV status. The risk associated with HCV positivity in donors or recipients in the pre-DAA era (before December 2013) was no longer statistically significant in the post-DAA era. Given comparable outcomes between HCV+ and HCV- recipients in post-DAA era or when receiving HCV+ donor kidneys, broader use of HCV+ kidneys regardless of the recipient's HCV status should be advocated, and allocation algorithm for HCV+ kidneys should be revised.

Klotho as a potential predictor of deceased donor kidney transplantation outcomes

PurposeKlotho is an antiaging factor mainly produced by renal tubular cells. Klotho is reportedly decreased in an animal model of acute kidney injury and patients with chronic kidney disease. However, information on Klotho expression after kidney transplantation is limited. We analyzed the correlation between donor Klotho expression and clinical outcomes of kidney transplantation.MethodsSixty patients who underwent deceased donor kidney transplantation between March 2015 and October 2017 were enrolled. Serum and tissue Klotho expression levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Graft function was assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).ResultsPatients were divided into 2 groups according to donor Klotho expression in renal tissues. A greater improvement in eGFR was observed at 1 week after transplantation in patients receiving kidneys with higher Klotho expression (47.5 ± 21.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 63.9 ± 28.2 mL/min/1.73 m2, P = 0.030). Patients were also classified into 2 groups according to donor serum Klotho level. There was a tendency for a higher eGFR at 12 months after transplantation in patients receiving kidneys from donors with a higher Klotho level (51.0 ± 18.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 61.2 ± 16.5 mL/min/1.73 m2, P = 0.059). When subgrouped into patients with or without biopsy-proven acute rejection, 12-month eGFR remained higher in patients receiving kidneys from donors with higher serum Klotho.ConclusionOur data demonstrated that donor tissue expression of Klotho correlated with early recovery of eGFR after kidney transplantation. Donor serum Klotho level tended to be associated with posttransplant 12-month eGFR. Donor Klotho expression might be a new predictor for deceased donor kidney transplantation outcome.

Pediatric deceased donor kidney transplant outcomes under the Kidney Allocation System.

The Kidney Allocation System (KAS) has resulted in fewer pediatric kidneys being allocated to pediatric deceased donor kidney transplant (pDDKT) recipients. This had prompted concerns that post-pDDKT outcomes may worsen. To study this, we used SRTR data to compare the outcomes of 953 pre-KAS pDDKT (age <18years) recipients (December 4, 2012-December 3, 2014) with the outcomes of 934 post-KAS pDDKT recipients (December 4, 2014-December 3, 2016). We analyzed mortality and graft loss by using Cox regression, delayed graft function (DGF) by using logistic regression, and length of stay (LOS) by using negative binomial regression. Post-KAS recipients had longer pretransplant dialysis times (median 1.26 vs 1.07years, P=.02) and were more often cPRA 100% (2.0% vs 0.1%, P=.001). Post-KAS recipients had less graft loss than pre-KAS recipients (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.35 0.540.83 , P=.005) but no statistically significant differences in mortality (HR: 0.29 0.721.83 , P=.5), DGF (odds ratio: 0.93 1.321.93 , P=.2), and LOS (LOS ratio: 0.96 1.061.19 , P=.4). After adjusting for donor-recipient characteristics, there were no statistically significant post-KAS differences in mortality (adjusted HR: 0.37 1.042.92 , P=.9), DGF (adjusted odds ratio: 0.94 1.412.13 , P=.1), or LOS (adjusted LOS ratio: 0.93 1.041.16 , P=.5). However, post-KAS pDDKT recipients still had less graft loss (adjusted HR: 0.38 0.590.91 , P=.02). KAS has had a mixed effect on short-term posttransplant outcomes for pDDKT recipients, although our results are limited by only 2years of posttransplant follow-up.

275 Predicting Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant Outcomes: Comparing KDRI/KDPI with Machine Learning

275 Predicting Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant Outcomes: Comparing KDRI/KDPI with Machine Learning

Preformed Donor-specific Antibodies Against HLA Class II and Graft Outcomes in Deceased-donor Kidney Transplantation.

Many kidney transplant centers in the United States report both HLA class I and II antibodies detected by sensitive solid-phase assays (SPAs) to United Network for Organ Sharing as unacceptable antigens, significantly reducing the compatible donor organ pool and prolonging waiting time for highly sensitized patients. However, the clinical relevance of all detected donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) by SPA is not unequivocal, because fluorescence intensity does not always accurately reflect antibody pathogenicity. Our center does not exclude patients from transplantation based on DSA class II. We performed a retrospective analysis in 179 deceased-donor kidney transplant recipients with solely DSA class II before transplant and patients without DSA and compared graft survival, rejection, and clinical outcomes. Patient survival was also compared with matched controls on the waiting list. Patients transplanted with DSA class II showed a clear survival benefit compared with matched patients who remained on dialysis or were waitlisted on dialysis/transplanted at 5 years (100%, 34%, and 73%, respectively). After a mean follow-up of 5.5 years, there was no significant difference in death-censored graft survival between transplanted patients without DSA and those with preformed DSA class II (adjusted HR 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-2.97), although the incidence of rejection was higher in recipients with DSA class II (adjusted HR 5.84; 95% confidence interval, 2.58-13.23; P < 0.001). Serum creatinine levels at 1, 3, and 5 years posttransplant did not differ between groups. No predictors of rejection were found, although patients who received basiliximab induction therapy had higher incidence of rejection (100%) compared with those who received antithymocyte globulin (52%). We conclude that for highly sensitized patients, deceased-donor kidney transplantation with DSA class II yields a survival benefit over prolonged waiting time on dialysis. Instead of listing DSA class II as unacceptable antigens, an individual approach with further immunologic risk assessment is recommended.

The impact of donor body mass index on outcomes after deceased kidney transplantation - a national population-cohort study.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of donor body mass index (BMI) on deceased donor kidney transplant outcomes. Data were collected from the UK Transplant Registry for all deceased donor kidney transplant recipients between January 2003 and January 2015. Univariable and multivariable analyses were undertaken to assess the impact of donor BMI on a range of outcomes. Donor BMI (kg/m2 ) was stratified as <18.5 (n = 380), 18.5-25.0 (n = 6890), 25.1-30.0 (n = 6669), 30.1-35.0 (n = 2503) and >35.0 (n = 1148). The prevalence of delayed graft function increased significantly with donor BMI (P < 0.001), with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.38 (95% CI: 1.16-1.63) for the >35.0 vs. 18.5-25.0 groups. However, there was no significant association between donor BMI and 12-month creatinine (P = 0.550), or patient (P = 0.109) or graft (P = 0.590) survival. In overweight patients, increasing donor BMI was associated with a significant increase in warm ischaemia time and functional warm ischaemia time, by an average of 4.6% (P = 0.043) and 5.2% (P = 0.013) per 10.0 kg/m2 . However, rising warm ischaemic time and functional warm ischaemic time was not significantly associated with delayed graft function, 12-month creatinine levels, graft loss or patient death. In this population cohort study, we identified no significant association between donor BMI and long-term clinical outcomes in deceased donor kidney transplantation.

Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation in Patients Aged 70 and Older: Is 70 the New 50?

Background: Deceased donor (DD) kidney transplantation (KT) outcomes in patients who are aged 70 years and older are understudied. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our single center DD KT outcomes in patients aged 70 years and older. All patients received antibody induction with tacrolimus, half-dose mycophenolate, ± steroids. Results: Over 10.75 years, we performed 114 KTs in 112 patients aged 70 and older (mean 73.8, range 70-84 years) including 42 patients who were aged 75 and older. The study group included 60 males/52 females and 79 Caucasians/28 African Americans/5 other with a mean waiting time of 16 months; 75 patients (66%) received kidneys from expanded criteria donors (ECDs) and 14 received dual KTs. Delayed graft function occurred in 27% and influenced graft but not patient survival. With a mean follow-up of 68 months, patient survival was 59% and uncensored kidney graft survival was 47%. Three year and death-censored kidney graft survival rates were 76% and 74%, respectively. Outcomes were similar in patients < or ≥ 75 years. Of 60 graft losses, death with a functioning graft (DWFG) accounted for 41 (68%). Of 46 deaths, 72% were due to cardio/cerebrovascular events, infection, or malignancy. At present, 54 of the 66 surviving patients (81.8%) have functioning grafts. The incidences of acute rejection and major infection were 14% and 45%, respectively. Conclusions: Advanced recipient age has a modest effect on medium-term outcomes in appropriately selected elderly patients using predominantly ECD kidneys, which may not be appropriate for younger patients. However, medium-term outcomes are largely influenced by a higher incidence of DWFGs in the elderly, suggesting that matching strategies for kidney and patient longevity are warranted.

Retroactive application of the new kidney allocation system to renal transplants performed in the ECD/SCD era.

The kidney allocation system (KAS) aims to improve deceased donor kidney transplant outcomes by matching of donor allografts and kidney recipients using the kidney donor risk index (KDRI) and recipient estimated post-transplant survival (EPTS) indices. In this single-center study, KAS was retroactively applied to 573 adult deceased donor kidney transplants (2004-2012) performed in the extended criteria/standard criteria donor (ECD/SCD) era. Donor KDRI and recipient EPTS were calculated, and transplants were analyzed to identify KAS fits. These were defined as allocation of top 20% allografts to top 20% recipients and bottom 80% allografts to bottom 80% recipients. On retroactive calculation, 70.2% of all transplants fit the KAS. Transplants that fit the KAS had inferior 1- and 5-yr patient survival (95.5% vs. 98.8%, p = 0.048, and 83.4% vs. 91.7%, p = 0.018) and similar 1- and 5-yr graft survival compared to transplants that did not fit the KAS (91.3% vs. 94.1%, p = 0.276, and 72.7% vs. 73.9%, p = 0.561). While EPTS correlated with recipient survival (HR = 2.96, p < 0.001), KDRI correlated with both recipient (HR = 3.56, p < 0.001) and graft survival (HR = 3.23, p < 0.001). Overall, retroactive application of the KAS to transplants performed in the ECD/SCD era did not identify superior patient survival for kidneys allocated in accordance with the KAS.

Experience With Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation in 114 Septuagenarians.

Outcomes of deceased donor (DD) kidney transplantation (KT) in patients ≥70 years of age are understudied. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed DD KT outcomes in patients (pts) ≥70 years transplanted at our center. All pts received antibody induction with FK, half-dose MMF, ± steroids. Results: Over a 10.5 year period, we performed 114 KTs in pts ≥70 (mean 74 years, range 70-84) including 43 pts ≥75. The recipient group included 60 males and 77 Caucasians with a mean waiting time of 20 months. 75 pts (66%) received kidneys from expanded criteria donors (ECDs) including 14 dual KTs. Delayed graft function occurred in 26%. With a mean follow-up of 3 years, pt survival was 83% and kidney graft survival was 77%. One year and death-censored kidney graft survival rates were 91% and 89%. Results were similar in pts < or ≥75 years of age. Of 26 graft losses (GL), 10 occurred within 1 year (6 poor graft function, 4 death with a functioning graft [DWFG]). Of the 16 remaining late GLs, 11 were DWFGs, 3 chronic allograft/polyomavirus nephropathy, and 2 other. DWFG accounted for 15 of the 26 (58%) GLs. In the 11 surviving pts with GL, 2 were retransplanted, 5 are on the waiting list, and 4 died after resuming dialysis. At present, 90 of the 95 surviving pts (95%) have functioning grafts. Causes of death in 19 pts were cardiovascular (13), sepsis (3), and malignancy (3). The incidences of acute rejection and major infection were 14% and 45%. In 33 cases, the mate kidney from the same donor was transplanted into a <70 year old pt (mean age 55.3 years) at our center. With a mean follow-up of 5 years, pt (79% and 94%, p=0.15) and kidney graft survival (64% and 67%) rates in the donor-matched pairs were comparable in the older and younger age cohorts, respectively. Death-censored kidney graft survival (81% older versus 69% younger) rates demonstrated that the older group had more DWFGs (21% versus 3%, p=0.05). Conclusions: Advanced recipient age has a minimal effect on short-term outcomes as acceptable results can be achieved in appropriately selected elderly pts using predominantly ECD kidneys, which may not be appropriate for younger pts. However, medium-term outcomes are largely influenced by a higher incidence of DWFGs in the elderly, suggesting that matching strategies for kidney and patient longevity are warranted.

Kidney donor risk index is a good prognostic tool for graft outcomes in deceased donor kidney transplantation with short, cold ischemic time

We performed a retrospective cohort study to determine the prognostic value of standard criteria donor/expanded criteria donor (SCD/ECD) designation, with regard to one-yr GFR and graft survival rate, in a region with short, cold ischemic time (CIT), and how this designation compares with the kidney donor risk index (KDRI) and zero-time kidney biopsies. We reviewed 362 cases of deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT). Donor kidneys were classified as SCD or ECD. They were also assessed by the KDRI. Zero-time kidney biopsy was performed in 196 patients, and histologic score was assessed. Median follow-up duration was 46 months. Forty-two cases (11.6%) used ECD kidneys. The mean CIT was only 4.9 ± 2.7 h. Graft survival rates were not significantly different between ECD and SCD groups. The KDRI showed the best correlation with one-yr estimations of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (R(2) = 0.230, p < 0.001), and higher KDRI was associated with a higher risk of graft failure (hazard ratio 2.63, 95% confidence interval 1.01-6.87). However, higher histologic score was not associated with a higher risk of graft failure. KDRI has greater predictive value for short-term outcomes in DDKT with short CIT than the SCD/ECD designation or pathology.

Cytomegalovirus Serostatus Pairing and Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant Outcomes in Adult Recipients With Antiviral Prophylaxis

The objectives of this study are to investigate the impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) donor (D)/recipient (R) serostatus on kidney transplant outcomes in recipients who received CMV prophylaxis and to investigate the association of individual antiviral agents (acyclovir, ganciclovir, and valganciclovir) with outcomes in high-risk recipients (D+/R-). By using the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network/United Network for Organ Sharing database, 25,058 deceased donor kidney recipients (≥ 18 years, 2004-2008) who received CMV prophylaxis were stratified into four groups: D+/R+ (11,875), D-/R+ (6046), D+/R- (4555), and D-/R- (2582). The impact of CMV D/R serostatus on acute rejection (6 months and 1 year posttransplant) and long-term outcomes of death-censored graft failure and mortality were compared. The impact of the individual antiviral agent on long-term outcome was further evaluated in the high-risk group (D+/R-). In multivariate analysis, CMV D/R status was not associated with acute rejection. Compared with D-/R-, D+/R- was associated with an increased risk for death-censored graft failure (hazard ratio=1.28, P=0.01), all-cause mortality(hazard ratio=1.36, P=0.003), and mortality because of viral infection (hazard ratio=8.36, P=0.04). In the D+/R- group, valganciclovir usage was associated with a decreased risk for death-censored graft failure (hazard ratio=0.65, P=0.007) and mortality because of viral infection (hazard ratio=0.22, P=0.03) compared with ganciclovir usage. CMV mismatch (D+/R-) was no longer a risk factor for acute rejection in kidney recipients who received antiviral prophylaxis but was still an independent risk factor for death-censored graft failure, all-cause mortality, and viral infection-related mortality.

“Nature versus Nurture” Study of Deceased-Donor Pairs in Kidney Transplantation

Donor characteristics such as age and cause of death influence the incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) and graft survival; however, the relative influence of donor characteristics ("nature") versus transplant center characteristics ("nurture") on deceased-donor kidney transplant outcomes is unknown. We examined the risks for DGF and allograft failure within 19,461 recipient pairs of the same donor's kidneys using data from the US Renal Data System. For the 11,894 common-donor pairs transplanted at different centers, a recipient was twice as likely to develop DGF when the recipient of the contralateral kidney developed DGF (odds ratio [OR] 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.82 to 2.30). Similarly, for 7567 common-donor pairs transplanted at the same center, the OR for DGF was 3.02 (95% CI 2.62 to 3.48). For pairs transplanted at the same center, there was an additional 42% risk for DGF compared with pairs transplanted at different centers. After adjustment for DGF, the within-pair ORs for allograft failure by 1 yr were 1.92 (95% CI 1.33 to 2.77) and 1.77 (95% CI 1.25 to 2.52) for recipients who underwent transplantation at the same center and different centers, respectively. These data suggest that both unmeasured donor characteristics and transplant center characteristics contribute to the risk for DGF and that the former also contribute significantly to allograft failure.