Patient and Graft Survival After Dual Kidney Transplantation With Marginal Donors in Comparison to Matched Control Groups

BackgroundPostmortal organ donor rates remain low in Germany, whereas donor age has been increasing considerably in the last decades. As a consequence of low donation rates older and more marginal donor kidneys are accepted for transplantation. However, procured kidneys from very old a/o marginal donors may be considered as not suitable for transplantation as a single organ and subsequently be discarded. However, dual transplantation of both kidneys from such donors may provide an opportunity to nevertheless use these organs for renal transplantation, thereby providing the twofold nephron mass as a single kidney transplantation.MethodsWe compared in this retrospective analysis the outcome of 10 recipients of a dual kidney transplantation (DKT) with 40 matched recipients of a single kidney transplantation (SKT). Recipients were matched for donor and recipient age (ie, a maximum age difference of ±10 years in a ratio of 1:4 for DKT vs SKT recipients). In addition, a second SKT control group of 10 SKT recipients being transplanted immediately before each DKT recipient with a kidney from a donor aged ≥65 years was used for comparison. All renal transplant recipients were observed for up to 3 years or until July 31, 2020.ResultsMean donor and recipient age was 77.2 ± 4.6/75.1 ± 6.6/82.1 ± 7.9 and 66.4 ± 5.8/66.1 ± 6.0/64.8 ± 8.4 for SKT group 1/SKT group 2/DKT, respectively. Procurement serum creatinine concentrations were significantly higher in the DKT group in comparison to the SKT control group 1 (P = .019) as was the rate of transplant artery atherosclerosis (P = .021). Furthermore, Kidney Donor Profile Index, and Kidney Donor Risk Index were significantly higher (P = .0138/P = .064, and P < .001/P = .038) in the DKT group than in SKT group 1 and 2. Rates of acute rejection and delayed graft function were not significantly different between groups, though biopsy-proven acute rejection was numerically higher in the SKT groups. Patient survival and overall and death-censored graft survival rates were also not significantly different between groups, although they tended to be higher after DKT.ConclusionsDKT provides an opportunity to successfully use postmortal kidneys even from donors aged >80 years and a Kidney Donor Profile Index ≥95% for renal transplantation. DKT may thereby increase the available pool of donors to better serve patients with end-stage renal disease on the waiting list.     

Outcomes of Adult Dual Kidney Transplants by KDRI in the United States

UNOS guidelines provide inadequate discriminatory criteria for kidneys that should be transplanted as single (SKT) versus dual (DKT). We evaluated the utility of the kidney donor risk index (KDRI) to define kidneys with better outcomes when transplanted as dual. Using SRTR data from 1995 to 2010 of de novo KTX recipients of adult deceased‐donor kidneys, we examined outcomes of SKT and DKT stratified by KDRI group ≤1.4 (n = 49 294), 1.41–1.8 (n = 15 674), 1.81–2.2 (n = 6523) and >2.2 (n = 2791). DKT of kidneys with KDRI >2.2 was associated with significantly better overall graft survival [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72–0.96] compared to single kidneys with KDRI >2.2. DKT was associated with significantly decreased odds of delayed graft function (top 2 KDRI categories) and significantly decreased odds of 1‐year serum creatinine level >2 mg/dL (top 3 KDRI categories). Among SKT and DKT from KDRI >2.2 there were 16.1 and 13.9 graft losses per 100 patient follow‐up years, respectively. KDRI >2.2 is a useful discriminatory cut‐off for the determination of graft survival benefit with the use of DKT; however, the benefit of increased graft years was less than half of single kidneys from donors in the same KDRI range.     

Optimizing utilization of kidneys from deceased donors over 60 years: Five‐year outcomes after implementation of a combined clinical and histological allocation algorithm

This 5 year observational multicentre study conducted in the Nord Italian Transplant programme area evaluated outcomes in patients receiving kidneys from donors over 60 years allocated according to a combined clinical and histological algorithm. Low‐risk donors 60–69 years without risk factors were allocated to single kidney transplant (LR‐SKT) based on clinical criteria. Biopsy was performed in donors over 70 years or 60–69 years with risk factors, allocated to Single (HR‐SKT) or Dual kidney transplant (HR‐DKT) according to the severity of histological damage. Forty HR‐DKTs, 41 HR‐SKTs and 234 LR‐SKTs were evaluated. Baseline differences generally reflected stratification and allocation criteria. Patient and graft (death censored) survival were 90% and 92% for HR‐DKT, 85% and 89% for HR‐SKT, 88% and 87% for LR‐SKT. The algorithm appeared user‐friendly in daily practice and was safe and efficient, as demonstrated by satisfactory outcomes in all groups at 5 years. Clinical criteria performed well in low‐risk donors. The excellent outcomes observed in DKTs call for fine‐tuning of cut‐off scores for allocation to DKT or SKT in high‐risk patients.     

Donor-Estimated GFR as an Appropriate Criterion for Allocation of ECD Kidneys into Single or Dual Kidney Transplantation

It has been suggested that dual kidney transplantation (DKT) improves outcomes for expanded criteria donor (ECD) kidneys. However, no criteria for allocation to single or dual transplantation have been assessed prospectively. The strategy of DKT remains underused and potentially eligible kidneys are frequently discarded. We prospectively compared 81 DKT and 70 single kidney transplant (SKT) receiving grafts from ECD donors aged >65 years, allocated according to donor estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): DKT if eGFR between 30 and 60 mL/min, SKT if eGFR greater than 60 mL/min. Patient and graft survival were similar in the two groups. In the DKT group, 13/81 patients lost one of their two kidneys due to hemorrhage, arterial or venous thrombosis. Mean eGFR at month 12 was similar in the DKT and SKT groups (47.8 mL/min and 46.4 mL/min, respectively). Simulated allocation of kidneys according to criteria based on day 0 donor parameters such as those described by Remuzzi et al., Andres et al. and UNOS, did not indicate an improvement in 12-month eGFR compared to our allocation based on donor eGFR.     

Dual kidney transplantation: a case-control comparison with single kidney transplantation from standard and expanded criteria donors

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to perform a case-matched cohort analysis of dual kidney transplantation (DKT) from expanded criteria donors (ECDs) compared to single kidney transplantation (SKT) from concurrent ECDs and standard criteria donors (SCDs, defined as non-ECD). METHODS: Deceased donor (DD) kidney transplants (KTs) performed at a single center between October 2001 and February 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. If the calculated DD creatinine clearance (CrCl) was <65 mL/min, then the kidneys were transplanted dually into a single patient. In the case of DKT and SKT from ECDs, low risk patients were chosen and informed consent was obtained. Patients in each group were matched for age, gender, race, transplant number, and time of transplant. RESULTS: Of 294 adult DD KTs performed, 16 (5%) were DKTs, which were matched with 16 concurrent SCD and 16 ECD SKT patients. Mean donor age in years (65 DKT vs. 33 SCD vs. 61 ECD; P<0.0001) and mean donor CrCl in ml/min (54 DKT vs. 91 SCD vs. 76 ECD; P=0.002) were different between groups. Patient survival was 100% in the DKT and SCD SKT groups and 94% in the ECD SKT group (mean follow up 23-28 months); graft survival rates in the DKT, SCD, and ECD groups were 81%, 81%, and 94%, respectively (P=NS). Graft function, rejection, and morbidity were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: DKT using kidneys from marginal ECDs is a viable option to counteract the growing shortage of available organs. Excellent short-term results and renal function can be achieved with older, low nephron mass donors provided that both kidneys are transplanted into a single recipient.     

Long‐Term Results of Biopsy‐Guided Selection and Allocation of Kidneys From Older Donors in Older Recipients

In our old‐for‐old program, we discard or allocate older extended criteria donor kidneys to single (SKT) or dual kidney transplantation (DKT) depending on histological Remuzzi's score in recipients older than 60 years. Here, we analyze the long‐term results of this program and try to identify independent predictors of patient and graft survival. Between December 1996 and January 2008, we performed 115 SKT and 88 DKT. Discard rate was 15%. Acute rejection incidence was higher in SKT than in DKT (22.6% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.04). Renal function was better in DKT than in SKT up to 5 years after transplantation. Surgical complications were frequent in DKT. Ten‐year cumulative graft survival was significantly lower in the SKT group (31% vs. 53%, p = 0.03). In SKT, histological score 4 provided similar graft survival than 3 or less, whereas in DKT score 4, 5 or 6 displayed similar outcome. Finally, independent predictors of graft survival were history of major adverse cardiac event and 1‐year serum creatinine, rather than SKT or DKT. In conclusion, this biopsy‐guided old‐for‐old strategy resulted in acceptable long‐term graft survival. Our results suggest that DKT should be considered for scores of 5 or 6 only.     

Single versus dual renal transplantation from donors with significant arteriosclerosis on pre-implant biopsy

Abstract: Background: Transplantation of kidneys from donor with arteriosclerosis seen on pre‐implantation biopsy has not been well studied. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 20 dual kidney transplant (DKT) and 28 single (SKT) kidney transplant recipients with ≥12 months follow‐up from donors with moderate arteriosclerosis (≥25% luminal diameter narrowing). Results: Death censored graft survival was 100% and 79%, respectively (p = 0.0339). DKT recipients had significantly lower mean creatinine levels at one, three, six, and nine months and spent somewhat less time on the waiting list (181 ± 160 vs. 318 ± 306 d, p = 0.1429). DKT patients received kidneys from significantly older donors (64 ± 7 vs. 54 ± 11 yr; p = 0.0012), proportionately more expanded criteria donors (95% vs. 54%; p = 0.0029), and more donors with hypertension (81% vs. 48%, p = 0.0344) and death related to cerebrovascular accident (100% vs. 71%, p = 0.0143); however, more DKT kidneys underwent machine perfusion (95% vs. 57%, p = 0.0068). Baseline recipient variables were comparable between the two groups including age, race, gender, retransplantation, and HLA mismatch. Pre‐implant biopsy was notable for similar frequencies of moderate interstitial fibrosis (10% vs. 14%, respectively) and glomerulosclerosis. Conclusion: Among recipients of deceased‐donor kidneys with >25% arteriosclerosis, short‐term outcomes after DKT were superior to that of SKT grafts. This approach may help to expand the donor‐organ pool while optimizing outcomes.     

Dual kidneys from marginal adult donors as a source for cadaveric renal transplantation in the United States

The current organ shortage has led to the utilization of double kidney transplants from marginal adult donors, but outcomes data are limited. The United Network for Organ Sharing registry database was used to compare the outcomes of 403 dual adult kidney transplantations (DKT) and 11,033 single kidney transplantations (SKT) from 1997 to 2000. Graft and patient survival and the effect of multiple risk factors were evaluated. It was found that DKT patients were older, less sensitized, and received grafts from older, more mismatched donors with longer cold ischemia times. There was also a greater percentage of donors with a history of diabetes or hypertension and African-American recipients and donors in the DKT group. Graft survival was inferior in the DKT group, with a 7% lower graft survival rate at 1 yr. There was a higher incidence of primary nonfunction in the DKT group, although the incidence of delayed graft function, early rejection treatment, and graft thrombosis did not differ. Multivariate analysis was used to identify African-American recipient ethnicity and retransplant as risk factors for graft loss. Graft survival was comparable in DKT and SKT with donors over 55 yr of age. DKT resulted in inferior graft outcomes compared with SKT. When compared with SKT with donors over 55 yr of age, DKT resulted in similar graft outcomes. These otherwise discarded kidneys should be cautiously considered as a source of marginal donors.     

Experience with dual kidney transplants from donors at the extremes of age

BACKGROUND: Dual kidney transplantation (DKT) from donors at the extremes of age represents one approach to expanding the organ donor pool. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with DKT from older donors and en bloc KT (EBKT) from small pediatric donors. METHODS: Deceased donor KTs performed at our center between October 2001 and November 2005, were reviewed retrospectively. If the calculated creatinine clearance in an expanded criteria donor was <65 mL/min, then the kidneys were transplanted dually into a single adult recipient. If a pediatric donor weighed <15 kg, then the kidneys were transplanted en bloc. In both instances, low-risk recipients were chosen (primary transplant, low sensitization, body mass index <25 kg/m(2), human leukocyte antigen matching). Donor, recipient, and transplant characteristics, waiting time, and outcomes were examined. RESULTS: Of a total of 279 deceased donor KTs during the 49-month study period, 15 (5%) recipients underwent DKT and 5 (2%) underwent EBKT. Mean donor age was 65.4 years and 21.4 months in the DKT and EBKT groups, respectively. Patient survival rates in both groups were 100% with a mean follow-up of 22 months (minimum, 6 months). Kidney graft survival rates were 80% (12/15) and 60% (3/5) in the DKT and EBKT groups, respectively. The combined incidence of delayed graft function was 10%. Mean 12-month glomerular filtration rates were 46 mL/min and 66 mL/min in the DKT and EBKT groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: DKT using kidneys from marginal elderly donors and EBKT from small pediatric donors appear to offer a viable option to counteract the shortage of acceptable kidney donors.     

Extended Criteria Donor Kidney Transplantation: Comparative Outcome Analysis Between Single versus Double Kidney Transplantation at 5 Years

Introduction

Dual kidney transplantation (DKT), using extended criteria donor (ECD) grafts not suitable for single kidney transplantation (SKT), has been suggested to expand the kidney donor pool. Herein, we reviewed the long-term outcomes of DKT to assess its results versus a control group of 179 ECD SKTs. The allocation policy was based on a Remuzzi score obtained from a pretransplant biopsy.

Materials and methods

We analyzed SKT in 179 (31.8%) and DKT in 41 (7.3%) of 563 cadaveric transplants from 2000 to 2008. Patients with DKT versus SKT showed mean recipient ages of 54 versus 51 years. We performed 17 ipsilateral and 24 bilateral DKT. The mean score was 2.78 for SKT and 4.3/4.6 for DKT.

Results

Delayed graft function requiring dialysis occurred in 23 (56.1%) DKT and 70 (39.1%) SKT recipients. Primary nonfunction was observed in 1 (2.4%) DKT and 7 (3.9%) SKT recipients respectively. One DKT patient underwent monolateral transplantectomy. In the DKT versus SKT group, patient survivals were 92% versus 95%, 89% versus 93%, and 89 versus 91% at 12, 36, and 60 months, respectively (P = .3). Graft survivals were 100% versus 94%, 95% versus 90%, and 89% versus 78% at 12, 36, and 60 months, respectively (P < .001). We observed a lower incidence of chronic allograft nephropathy (P = .01) and a higher incidence of surgical adverse events (P = .04) in DKT.

Conclusions

ECD graft survival using DKT provided better results compared with SKT, despite the use of organs from higher-risk donors. At 5 years follow-up, DKT was a safe strategy to face the organ shortage. To optimize the use of available kidneys, the criteria for DKT require further refinement and standardization. Preimplantation evaluation must maximize transplant success and protect recipients from receiving organs at increased risk of premature failure.     

Deceased Donor Organ Transplantation With Expanded Criteria Donors: A Single-Center Experience From India

Introduction

Deceased donor organ transplantation (DDOT) accounts for <4% of renal transplants in India. Many volunteers come forth for organ donation with increasing awareness; unfortunately, the majority are marginal donors, but their rejection would hamper the DDOT program. Judicious use of marginal organs is a challenge for developing countries.

Patients and Methods

We performed 29 renal transplants from 21 expanded criteria donors (ECD) out of 115 DDOT between January 2006 to April 2009—10 dual (DKT) and 19 single (SKT). Fourteen donors had hypertension, a cerebrovascular accident as the cause of death, 9 had both, and 4 had diabetes. Mean donor age was 70.3 ± 8.9 years. Decisions on the procedure were based upon frozen section biopsy in 13 of 21 donors. Mean DKT donor age was 76 ± 9.7 years versu 64 ± 5.7 years of SKT donors. The native kidney diseases were chronic glomerulonephritis (n = 14), diabetic nephropathy (n = 7), tubulointerstitial nephritis (n = 4) and polycystic kidney disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, lupus nephritis and patchy cortical necrosis, (n = 1 each). Mean recipient age of DKT versus SKT was 43.5 versus 42.3 years. All recipients received rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin, followed by steroid, mycophenolate mofetil/calcinueurin inhibitor.

Results

Over a mean follow-up of 341 days, the mean serum creatinine (SCr) of 25/29 patients was 1.60 mg/dL (range, 1.0-2.6). The mean SCr of SKT patients was 1.59 ± 0.63 mg/dL and of DKT, 1.62 ± 0.48 mg/dL. Ten patients had delayed graft function and 11 had biopsy proven acute tubular necrosis. Seven (24%) patients had rejection (grade 3 Banff update '05, type IA; 4, type 2A); 6 responded to antirejection; 1 graft was lost at 7 months due to chronic rejection. Three (10.3%) patients were lost, 1 each due to AMI, sepsis, and CMV disease.

Conclusion

In the circumstances of organ shortage, DDOT with expanded criteria donor is a feasible option.     

Hypothermic Machine Perfusion as an Alternative to Biopsy Assessment in Transplantation of Kidneys Donated After Cardiocirculatory Death: A Pilot Study

BackgroundTransplantation of kidneys from donation after cardiocirculatory death (DCD) donors is becoming an ever-increasing reality. So far, biopsy histologic assessment is the main parameter for evaluation of graft suitability, but it has several drawbacks and has poor reliability. The aim of this study is to verify if real-time renal resistance (RR) measurement during hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) can be used as a reliable parameter to evaluate the quality of grafts from DCD and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) donors.MethodsFrom January 2015 to September 2018, HMP has been systematically applied to all organs from DCD and ECMO donors. All grafts underwent preimplantation biopsy histologic assessment with Karpinski’s score. Single kidney transplants (SKTs) or double kidney transplants (DKTs) were performed according to biopsy score results. Kidneys were considered suitable for transplant if RR reached ≤ 1.0 within 3 hours of perfusion. RR trend and postoperative outcome were analyzed considering biopsy score and donor type.ResultsA total of 30 kidneys (15 from DCD and 15 from ECMO donors) were used to perform 26 transplants (22 SKTs and 4 DKTs). Considering RR trend, all grafts were considered suitable for transplant within 1 hour of perfusion. Biopsy confirmed this result in all cases, and median score was 3 (range, 0-7). SKT score kidneys had lower starting RR than DKT ones (1.88 vs 2.88; P = .04) but identical final RR (0.58 vs 0.57; P = .76). DKT recipients had faster postoperative creatinine reduction than SKT recipients but similar postoperative day 30 value (1.42 vs 1.15 mg/dL; P = .20). No differences were found between DCD and ECMO grafts in terms of RR trend and postoperative outcome.ConclusionsHMP can be an alternative to histologic biopsy assessment for evaluation of transplant suitability of DCD and ECMO kidneys. If acceptability threshold is reached, SKT can be performed in all cases. ECMO donors should be considered like DCD donors.     

Technical Aspects of Unilateral Dual Kidney Transplantation from Expanded Criteria Donors: Experience of 100 Patients

One option for using organs from donors with a suboptimal nephron mass, e.g. expanded criteria donors (ECD) kidneys, is dual kidney transplantation (DKT). In adult recipients, DKT can be carried out by several techniques, but the unilateral placement of both kidneys (UDKT) offers the advantages of single surgical access and shorter operating time. One hundred UDKT were performed using kidneys from ECD donors with a mean age of 72 years (Group 1). The technique consists of transplanting both kidneys extraperitoneally in the same iliac fossa. The results were compared with a cohort of single kidney transplants (SKT) performed with the same selection criteria in the same study period (Group 2, n = 73). Ninety‐five percent of UDKTs were positioned in the right iliac fossa, lengthening the right renal vein with an inferior vena cava patch. In 69% of cases, all anastomoses were to the external iliac vessels end‐to‐side. Surgical complications were comparable in both groups. At 3‐year follow‐up, patient and graft survival rates were 95.6 and 90.9% in Group 1, respectively. UDKT can be carried out with comparable surgical complication rates as SKT, leaving the contralateral iliac fossa untouched and giving elderly recipients a better chance of receiving a transplant, with optimal results up to 3‐years follow‐up.     

Expanded criteria donor kidneys for younger recipients: acceptable outcomes

Introduction

European senior programme (ESP) is well known for acceptable outcomes using expanded criteria donor (ECD) kidneys from donors older than 65 years for recipients older than 65 years. The incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is 229/million in India with a mean age of 45 years. We performed a retrospective analysis of transplantation of ECD versus standard criteria donor (SCD) kidneys into younger recipients.

Methods

Forty-three ECD transplantations among 158 deceased donor organ transplantation (DDOT) were performed between January 2006 and December 2009. Among 43 transplantation from 30 donors, 14 were dual kidney transplantations (DKT) performed based upon biopsy evaluation. All recipients received thymoglobulin (rATG) induction followed by immunosuppression with a steroid, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and a calcineurin inhibitor. Statistical analysis used chi-square test and unpaired Student t test. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for survival analysis.

Results

For ECD the mean donor age was 64 ± 11 years. Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) were the cause of death among 60% of donors, 73.13% of whom were hypertensive and 23.13% diabetic.Mean DKT donor age was 75 ± 9.17 years versus 60 ± 8.0 years for single kidney transplantation (SKT). Mean recipient age of DKT versus SKT was 44 ± 12.4 years versus 43 ± 14 years. Mean serum creatinine (SCr; mg/dL) of SKT patients was 1.64 ± 0.75 versus 1.68 ± 0.46 in DKT. Mean follow-up was 455 ± 352 days. Mean SCr of 43 ECD recipients of mean age, 43.4 ± 14.2 years was 1.61 ± 0.61 mg/dL. Among 43 recipients, 23.25% were diabetic, 41.86% displayed delayed graft function (DGF), and 23.25% experienced biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR). Patient survival rate was 72.09% and graft survival rate was 67.44%. For SCD transplantations (n = 115), the mean donor age was 36 ± 14 years and recipient mean age was 32.8 ± 14.07 years. Mean SCr was 1.32 ± 0.46 mg/dL with 26.95% recipients displaying DGF, whereas 20.86% had BPAR. In the SCD group the patient survival rate was 79.13% and the graft survival rate was 72.17%. Thus, although the ECD group showed poor graft function (P = .042), they had acceptable patient and graft survivals (P = .34 and P = .56, respectively).

Conclusion

Because of the organ shortage, DDOT using ECD transplants for younger recipients is a feasible option with acceptable outcomes.     

Impact of Donor Age on the Outcomes of Kidney Transplantation From Deceased Donors With Histologic Acute Kidney Injury

PurposeKidney transplantation from elderly donors with acute kidney injury (AKI) has increased recently due to donor shortage, but the safety and prognosis are not well known. We examined the effect of donor age on the outcomes of kidney transplantation (KT) from donors with histologic AKI.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 59 deceased-donor KTs with acute tubular necrosis (ATN) on preimplantation donor kidney biopsy between March 2012 and October 2017. Histologic evaluations of ATN, inflammation, glomerulosclerosis (GS), interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, and arterial sclerosis were performed.ResultsTwenty and 39 recipients received kidneys from elderly (> 60, 68.9 ± 5.0 years) and young (≤ 60, 45.9 ± 9.6 years) donors with ATN, respectively. Among the elderly donors, significantly increased donor creatinine was observed in only 44% donors, and there were more diabetic patients and women and a higher proportion of GS than among the young donors. Six months after KT, estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly lower in recipients who received kidneys from elderly donors compared to young donors. Donor creatinine level and AKI severity did not significantly affect the recipient outcomes in either group. However, the presence of ATN and GS were significant factors that exacerbated renal outcomes after KT from elderly donors only. On multivariate analysis, severe ATN was the strongest independent predictor of elderly recipient renal function.ConclusionsHistologic injury may predict renal outcomes in KT from elderly donors. A donor allocation protocol including preimplantation renal histology should be established for KT from elderly donors.     

Outcomes After Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation Using Kidney Allografts With Marginal Perfusion Parameters

BackgroundThis study examines outcomes of deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT) in recipients of kidney allografts with marginal perfusion parameters.MethodsAllografts with marginal perfusion parameters (resistance index [RI] >0.4 and pump flow rate [F] <70 mL/min; MP group) were compared with those with good parameters (RI <0.4 and F >70 mL/min; GP group) for DDKT recipients between January 1996 and November 2017 after hypothermic pulsatile perfusion. Demographics, creatinine, cold ischemia times (CIT), delayed graft function (DGF), and recipient glomerular filtration rate at pre- and post-transplant were noted. The primary outcome was graft survival post-transplant.ResultsIn the MP (n = 31) versus GP (n = 1281) group, the median recipient was aged 57 years versus 51 years; the median donor was aged 47 versus 37 years; terminal creatinine was 0.9 versus 0.9 mg/dL; CIT was 10.2 versus 13 hours, and the RI and flow were 0.46 and 60 mL/min versus 0.21 and 120 mL/min. The DGF rate was 19% (MP) versus 8% (GP). The graft survival in the MP versus GP group was 81% versus 90% (1 year), 65% versus 79% (3 years), 65% versus 73% (4 years), and 45% versus 68% (5 years).ConclusionCarefully selected kidney allografts after comprehensive donor and recipient evaluation may allow for the use of these routinely discarded kidneys with marginal perfusion parameters.     

Renal Resistance Trend During Hypothermic Machine Perfusion Correlates With Preimplantation Biopsy Score in Transplantation of Kidneys From Extended Criteria Donors

BackgroundGraft quality from extended criteria donors (ECDs) is extremely wide, and a reliable evaluation parameter is required. So far, biopsy is widely used to evaluate ECD organs and to decide whether double (DKT) or single (SKT) kidney transplantation should be performed. The aim of this study is to compare renal resistance (RR) trend during hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) with a preimplantation biopsy score.MethodsFrom December 2014 to April 2020, HMP has been systematically applied to all organs from ECDs for at least 3 hours. All grafts underwent a preimplantation biopsy histologic assessment with Karpinski's score. SKTs or DKTs were performed accordingly. RR trend during the first 180 minutes of HMP was compared with the biopsy score.ResultsEighty-three kidneys were used to perform 57 transplantations (31 SKTs and 26 DKTs).A biopsy confirmed suitability for transplantation in all cases, and the median score was 4 (range, 2-7). Kidneys with a score of 5 to 7 had significantly higher RR value than kidneys with a score of 0 to 4 at basal time (3.35 vs 2.71; P = .074), at 60 minutes (1.24 vs 0.94; P = .031), at 120 minutes (1.10 vs 0.81; P = .010), and at 180 minutes (1.00 vs 0.77; P = .022). A cutoff value of RR ≥0.88 at 120 minutes of perfusion had the best sensibility and specificity (0.71 and 0.75, respectively) to discriminate kidneys with a score of 5 to 7 from kidneys with a score of 0 to 4. No differences were found in postoperative outcomes between SKT and DKT recipients.ConclusionsRR trend during HMP correlates with the histologic score in ECD kidneys and can be used as a reliable parameter to evaluate graft quality.     

Evaluation of 84 elderly donors in renal transplantation

BACKGROUND: The use of elderly donors (ED) and dual kidney transplantation (DKT) procedures have become common in clinical practice. A correct evaluation of kidneys from ED is crucial to avoid unsuccessful transplantation or the use of DKT when a single transplant (ST) would be equally successful. The aim of this investigation was to assess the role of renal biopsy (RB) in the assessment of kidneys from ED. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 84 ED aged > or = 60 yr were evaluated. In 19 cases, the kidneys were not used, mainly because of atherosclerotic vascular lesions. A histological score (HS) from 0 to 12 was awarded, considering the proportion of glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and arterial and arteriolar narrowing. On the basis of the HS, 37 donors were selected for 40 ST and 21 for DKT, three were discarded. All recipients received triple-drug therapy based on calcineurin inhibitors, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids. RESULTS: Primary non-function was observed in three of 40 ST and one of 21 DKT. Acute tubular necrosis occurred in 22/40 ST and in 11/21 DKT. Acute rejection occurred in 16/40 ST and four of 21 DKT. Renal function was satisfactory in both groups, with 1-yr S-Cr = 171 micromol/L and 137 micromol/L, respectively in the ST and DKT groups. One-year patient survival was 92% in ST and 100% in DKT; 1-yr graft function was 87% in ST and 95% in DKT. CONCLUSION: The histological assessment of kidneys from ED enables a correct selection of kidneys for ST or DKT and prevents the transplantation of high-risk kidneys.     

Dual kidney transplantation as a strategy to use expanded criteria donors: a systematic review

The objective of this review was to assess whether dual kidney transplantation (DKT ) is better than single KT (SKT ) for optimizing the use of expanded criteria donor kidneys. We did a systematic literature search and meta‐analyses when possible, pooling data for calculating relative risks (RR ) of major outcomes. Twenty‐five studies met the inclusion criteria. One‐year serum creatinine was better after DKT vs. SKT (mean difference ?0.27 [?0.37, ?0.17], P  < 0.001), with less incidence of acute rejection (RR 0.66 [0.52, 0.85], P  < 0.001) and without differences at five years. Less DGF was seen in DKT (RR 0.88 [0.76, 1.02], P  = 0.09). Mortality at 1 and 3 years was similar after dual or SKT , but mortality at five years was lower after DKT (RR 0.71 [0.53, 0.94], P  = 0.02). One‐year graft loss was similar between dual (n  = 4158) and SKT (n  = 51 800) (RR 0.97 [0.87, 1.09], P  = 0.62). Three‐ and five‐year graft loss was not considered because of high heterogeneity between studies. In conclusion, short‐term graft function and long‐term patient survival are better in recipients receiving DKT vs. SKT . However, these differences are based on few retrospective reports with a relatively low number of cases. Good quality randomized controlled trials are needed to assess whether the investment of two kidneys in one recipient is justified in face of the current organ shortage.     

Double versus single renal allografts from aged donors

BACKGROUND: The age limit of the cadaver kidney donors is increasing in response to the growing demand for renal transplantation. Simultaneous double kidney transplantation (SDKT) with kidneys obtained from elderly adults has been proposed to increase the transplantation number and improve its results. However, if SDKT is performed when there are no clear indications, a negative effect could be produced on the total number of transplanted patients as both kidneys would be used for only one recipient. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In December 1996 we designed a transplantation protocol to be able to extend the selection of cadaver kidney donors with normal serum creatinine levels without establishing any age limit. A pregraft renal biopsy was always performed to analyze the glomerulosclerosis (GE) percentage whenever the donors were 60 years of age or older. A SDKT was performed in a single recipient when the donor age was 75 years or older or when the donors between 60 and 74 years old had a GE rate of more than 15%. On the contrary, a single kidney transplantation was performed in two different recipients for kidneys from donors between 60 and 74 years of age with a GE rate of less than 15%. Kidneys having GE rates of more than 50% were discarded for transplantation. Donor kidneys from subjects younger than 60 years of age were always used for a single kidney transplantation. RESULTS: Based on the above mentioned protocol, from December 1996 to May 1998, 181 patients received a kidney transplantation in our hospital. These patients were divided into three groups: group I which included the SDKT recipients (n=21), group II or single kidney recipients from 60- to 74-year-old donors (n=40), and group III or recipients from <60-year-old donors (n=120). The mean follow-up time was 15+/-5 months (range 6-24). Mean donor age was 75+/-7 years in group I, this was significantly higher than in group II (67+/-4, P<0.001) and group III (37+/-15, P<0.001). The primary nonfunction rate was low in the three groups, there being no statistically significant differences (5, 5, and 4%, respectively). A significantly greater percentage of patients from group I (76%) presented immediate renal graft function as compared with group II (43%, P<0.01) and III (50%, P<0.05). The acute rejections rate was very low in all three groups (9.5, 7.5, and 22%, respectively) with significant differences between groups II and III (P<0.05). No significant differences between the different groups were observed for one year actuarial patient survival (100, 95, and 98%, respectively) or graft survival rates (95, 90, and 93%, respectively). The 6-month serum creatinine levels were excellent in the three groups, although there were significant differences between groups I and II (1.6+/-0.3 vs. 1.9+/-0.6 mg/dl, P<0.05), II and III (1.9+/-0.6 vs. 1.4+/-0.4 mg/dl, P<0.001), and I and III (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous double kidney transplantations make it possible to use kidneys from extremely elderly donors (>75 years) or those whose GE>15%. In addition, kidneys from donor 60-74 years old in which the GE<15% can be used for single kidney transplantations in two different recipients with excellent results.