Factors Predicting Ischemic-Type Biliary Lesions (ITBLs) After Liver Transplantation

Among biliary complications, ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBLs) remain a major cause of morbidity in liver transplant recipients, significantly affecting the chance of survival of both patients and grafts. We retrospectively reviewed 10 years of prospectively collected donor and recipient data from April 2001 to April 2011. We evaluated the incidence of ITBL occurrence, exploring the possible predisposing factors, including donor and recipient data. Two hundred fifty-one grafts were harvested: 222 of them were transplanted at our institution, the remaining 29 (11.6%) discarded by our donor team as showing >40% macrovesicular steatosis. Mild-moderate (20%-40%) macrovesicular steatosis (P < .001) and cold ischemia time (P = .048) significantly increased the risk of ITBL, also as an independent risk factor after multivariate analysis.     

Asystole to cross-clamp period predicts development of biliary complications in liver transplantation using donation after cardiac death donors

This study sought to determine the procurement factors that lead to development of intrahepatic bile duct strictures (ITBS) and overall biliary complications in recipients of donation after cardiac death (DCD) liver grafts. Detailed information for different time points during procurement (withdrawal of support; SBP < 50 mmHg; oxygen saturation <30%; mandatory wait period; asystole; incision; aortic cross clamp) and their association with the development of ITBS and overall biliary complications were examined using logistic regression. Two hundred and fifteen liver transplants using DCD donors were performed between 1998 and 2010 at Mayo Clinic Florida. Of all the time periods during procurement, only asystole‐cross clamp period was significantly different between patients with ITBS versus no ITBS (P = 0.048) and between the patients who had overall biliary complications versus no biliary complications (P = 0.047). On multivariate analysis, only asystole‐cross clamp period was significant predictor for development of ITBS (P = 0.015) and development of overall biliary complications (P = 0.029). Hemodynamic changes in the agonal period did not emerge as risk factors. The results of the study raise the possibility of utilizing asystole‐cross‐clamp period in place of or in conjunction with donor warm ischemia time in determining viability or quality of liver grafts.     

肝动脉补充灌注对供肝胆道微血管影响的实验研究

目的 通过犬肝移植比较犬肝肾联合切取中经胃十二指肠动脉补充灌渖对胆道微血管丛的灌注效果.方法 分析传统舣通道灌注快速切取法(15例)和加用经胃十二指肠动脉补充灌注肝动脉法(15例)的手术方式以及胆道灌注效果的资料,对两种灌注方法的时间数据及灌注效果进行统计学分析.结果 两种方法相比较,手术时间、供肝功能无明显差异,胃十二指肠动脉辅助灌注肝动脉法供体切取时间较长(P＜0.01),但肝动脉灌注维持时间较长(P＜0.01),胆管周围微血管断面内红细胞个数明显减少(P＜0.01),可以有效提高胆道血管丛灌注效果.结论 经胃十二指肠动脉补充灌注肝动脉法对胆道微血管丛灌注效果较传统方法更好,可为改进临床灌注方法提供线索.     

Graft Steatosis as a Risk Factor of Ischemic-Type Biliary Lesions in Liver Transplantation

Ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBLs) are now a discussed cause of morbidity and mortality in liver transplant recipients, even if not definitively characterized. We reviewed 13 years of donor and recipient data between April 2001 and April 2013. We evaluated the incidence of ITBL occurrence, exploring the possible predisposing factors, focusing on the relationship between severe macrovesicular steatosis of the graft and incidence of ITBL. A total of 445 grafts were harvested: 416 of them were transplanted at our institution, the remaining 29 were discarded by our donor team as showing more than 40% macrovesicular steatosis. Mild-moderate (20% to 40%) macrovesicular steatosis (P < .001) and cold ischemia time (P = .048) significantly increased the risk of ITBLs, also resulting in independent risk factors at multivariate analysis.     

Prevention of ischemic-type biliary lesions by arterial back-table pressure perfusion

Ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBLs) lead to considerable morbidity after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The exact pathogenesis is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that insufficient perfusion of biliary arterial vessels might be responsible for ITBLs. This could be prevented by improved perfusion techniques. Since February 2000, we performed a controlled study using arterial back-table pressure perfusion (AP) to achieve reliable perfusion of the biliary-tract capillary system, which may be impaired by the high viscosity of University of Wisconsin solution. We retrospectively analyzed 190 OLTs performed between September 1997 and July 2002 with regard to ITBLs. One hundred thirty-one grafts were preserved by in situ standard perfusion (SP), including portal perfusion, whereas in 59 cases, additional AP was performed. Donor-related factors, recipient age, indication for OLT, OLT technique, immunosuppression, and ischemia time were similar in both groups. In the SP group, 21 of 131 patients (16%) developed ITBLs. Only 1 of 59 patients with grafts receiving AP developed ITBLs. This difference was highly significant (P = .004). Peak aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels within the first 3 days were significantly lower in the AP group (AST, P = .016; ALT, P = .007). Multivariate analysis showed a significant influence of AP (P = .010) and donor age (P = .003) on the development of ITBLs. AP is an easy and reliable method to prevent ITBLs in OLT. It therefore should be used as the standard technique in liver procurement. (Liver Transpl 2003;9:285-289.)     

The Importance of Portal Venous Blood Flow in Ischemic‐Type Biliary Lesions after Liver Transplantation

Ischemic‐type biliary lesions (ITBL) are the most frequent cause of nonanastomotic biliary strictures after liver transplantation. This complication develops in up to 25% of patients, with a 50% retransplantation rate in affected patients. Traditionally, ischemia‐reperfusion injury to the biliary system is considered to be the major risk factor for ITBL. Several other risk factors for ITBL have been identified, including the use of liver grafts donated after cardiac death, prolonged cold and warm ischemic times and use of University of Wisconsin preservation solution. In recent years however, impaired microcirculation of the peribiliary plexus (PBP) has been implicated as a possible risk factor. It is widely accepted that the PBP is exclusively provided by blood from the hepatic artery, and therefore, the role of the portal venous blood supply has not been considered as a possible cause for the development of ITBL. In this short report, we present three patients with segmental portal vein thrombosis and subsequent development of ITBL in the affected segments in the presence of normal arterial blood flow. This suggests that portal blood flow may have an important contribution to the biliary microcirculation and that a compromised portal venous blood supply can predispose to the development of ITBL.     

Evaluation of safety of concomitant splenectomy in living donor liver transplantation: a retrospective study

In Asian countries, concomitant splenectomy in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is indicated to modulate the portal vein pressure in the small‐sized graft to protect against small for size syndrome. While concomitant splenectomy in deceased donor liver transplantation is almost contraindicated based on Western Reports of increased mortality and morbidity rate due to septic complications, there are few studies about that in LDLT. So, we retrospectively investigated the clinical outcome of adult LDLT at Kyoto University Hospital from July 2010 to July 2016. We divided the patients (n = 164) into those with concomitant splenectomy (n = 88) and those without (n = 76). The splenectomy group showed significantly increased operative time and intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.008, P = 0.0007, respectively), and significantly higher rate of postoperative splenic vein thrombosis and cytomegalovirus infection (P = 0.03, P = 0.016, respectively). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the incidence of postoperative hemorrhage (P = 0.06), post‐transplant bacteremia (P = 0.38), infection‐related mortality rates (P = 0.8), acute rejection (P = 0.87), and patient and graft survival (P = 0.66, P = 0.67 respectively); finally, model for end‐stage liver disease score above 30 was an independent predictor for infection‐related mortality post‐transplant (HR = 5.99, 95% CI = 2.15–16.67, P = 0.001). In conclusion, concomitant splenectomy in LDLT can be safely performed when indicated.     

Study of kidney and liver viability in the rat after exclusive aortic perfusion using intracellular ATP measurement

Summary To find whether the liver can be procured after exclusive aortic perfusion, three organ perfusion models were used in three groups of donor rats. Group 1 underwent liver wash-out via the portal vein; in group 2, the kidneys alone were perfused via the aorta; and group 3 underwent simultancous aortic perfusion of liver and kidneys. All perfusion flow rates in the three groups were adjusted to physiological values. Harvested organs were transplanted and recipient animals were killed 4h after transplantation to study liver and kidney viability by using intracellular ATP measurement. Liver ATP was lower (P< 0.005) in the portal perfusion group (group 1: 1.396±0.412) than in the aortic perfusion group (group 3: 2.181±0.061). Kidney ATP was comparable in groups 2 and 3: 1.066±0.09 vs 1.059±0.273 (mol/g) tissue. Liver cooling was quicker with portal perfusion than with the aortic flush (20°C in 20 s vs 15°C in 60 s). Aortic perfusion at a physiologic flow rate has no detrimental effect on renal viability studied by intracellular ATP measurement. We conclude that liver cooding via the aortic route only is a good alternative to portal perfusion and seems to give good preservation. Application of this observation to emergency procurement in humans is still the subject of controversy.     

CADAVERIC LIVER PROCUREMENT USING AORTIC PERFUSION ONLY

Background : To test the effectiveness of a simpler surgical technique for cadaveric liver procurement for liver transplantation, a prospective randomized study was carried out between August 1994 and December 1995, to compare aortic perfusion only (APO) for flush-preservation of the liver with the conventional combined aortic and portal perfusion (APP) technique. Methods : Forty multiple organ donors were enrolled with 20 in each arm of the trial. Donor parameters (age, bodyweight, liver function tests), surgeons performing the operations, the involvement of other procurement teams and the total ischaemic times were similar in the two groups. The liver recipients had a wide range of native liver pathology but were of similar age, sex and bodyweight in the two groups. Results : The mean procurement operation times for the APO and APP groups were 126.7 ± 38.6 and 137.8 ± 55.9 min, respectively (P= ns). The perfusion took longer to complete in the APO group (10.2 ± 1.7 vs 7.2 ± 1.4 min (APP), P < 0.001). The liver temperature fell to its lowest level (12.5 ± 3.4°C (APO) vs 11 ± 3°C (APP), P= ns) in a similar time (11.9 ±3.8 min (APO) vs 9.3 ± 3.4 mins (APP), P= ns). There was no graft primary non-function or graft arterial injury in either group. There was no significant difference between the APO and APP initial graft outcomes. The 3-month patient survival rate was identical in the two groups (95%); 81% of renal grafts from the APO donors functioned well from the time of transplantation as did 76% of those from APP donors. Conclusions : It is concluded that the APO procurement technique produces equivalent results to those achieved with the APP method. The simplicity of the APO technique makes it the preferred technique.     

Anatomical variations of donor portal vein in right lobe living donor liver transplantation: the safe use of variant portal veins

In right lobe (RL) living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), portal vein (PV) variations are of immense clinical significance. In this study, we describe in detail our PV reconstruction techniques in RL grafts with variant PV anatomy and evaluate the impact of accompanying biliary variations on the recipient outcomes. In a total of 386 RL LDLTs performed between July 2004 and July 2012, the clinical data on 52 (13%) transplants using RL grafts with variant PV anatomy were retrospectively analyzed. Portal vein anatomy was classified as type 2 in 20 patients, type 3 in 24 patients, and type 4 in eight patients. The PV reconstruction techniques utilized included back‐wall plasty (n = 21), back‐wall plasty with saphenous vein graft interposition (n = 6), saphenous vein graft interposition (n = 5), cryopreserved iliac vein Y‐graft interposition (n = 6), and quiltplasty (n = 3). There was no donor mortality. In a median follow‐up of 29 months, none of the recipients had vascular complications. Anomalous PV anatomy was associated with a high (54%) incidence of biliary variations; however, these variations did not result in increased biliary complication rate. Overall, the 1‐ and 3‐year patient survival rates of recipients were 91% and 81%, respectively. Vascular and biliary variations in RL grafts render LDLT technically more challenging. By employing appropriate reconstruction techniques, it is possible to successfully use RL grafts with PV variations without endangering recipient and donor safety.     

Epidemiology,risk factors,and outcomes of infections in patients undergoing liver transplantation for hilar cholangiocarcinoma

The epidemiology of infection after liver transplantation for hilar cholangiocarcinoma has not been systematically investigated. In this study of 124 patients, 255 infections occurred in 105 patients during the median follow‐up of 4.2 years. The median time to first infection was 15.1 weeks (IQR 1.6‐62.6). The most common sites were the abdomen, bloodstream, and musculoskeletal system. Risk factors for any post‐transplant infection were pre‐transplant VRE colonization (Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.9, P=.002), living donor transplantation (HR 6.6, P<.001), longer cold ischemia time (HR 1.05 per 10 minutes, P<.001), donor CMV seropositivity (HR 2.2, P<.001), hepatic artery thrombosis (HR 2.6, P=.005), biliary stricture (HR 3.8, P=.002), intra‐abdominal fluid collection (HR 4.2, P<.001), and re‐operations within 1 month after transplantation (HR 1.7, P=.020). Abdominal infections were independently associated with hemodialysis requirement within 1 month after transplantation (HR 5.6, P=.006), hepatic artery thrombosis (HR 3.3, P=.007), biliary stricture (HR 5.2, P<.001), and abdominal fluid collection (HR 3.7, P=.0002). Bloodstream infections were independently associated with allograft ischemia (HR 17.8, P<.001), biliary stricture (HR 6.5, P=.005), and recipient VRE colonization (HR 4, P<.001). Abdominal infections (HR 2.3, P=.02) and Clostridium difficile infections (HR 4.6, P=.01) were independently associated with increased mortality.     

Endotoxemia in organ donors: graft function following liver transplantation

Abstract Translocation of endotoxin (LPS) to the portal‐venous system is produced by multiple factors. In the case of normal liver function, LPS is rapidly cleared from the portal blood by Kupffer cells; in impaired liver function, LPS can reach the systemic circulation. The objective of this study was to investigate whether elevated donor endotoxin levels affect graft function in the recipient. LPS levels in donor plasma were measured in 14 consecutive liver transplantations. Grafts with donor LPS levels ≤ 12 pg/ml had a function probability of 100% after 600 days (n = 10). LPS concentrations of > 12 pg/ml in donor plasma led to loss of function in 75% of the liver grafts (n = 4; P = 0.003; Wilcoxon). Elevated LPS values in donor plasma seem to impair the prognosis of the grafts and could predict poor graft function as early as at the time of brain death.     

Long‐term follow up for anti‐HLA donor specific antibodies postrenal transplantation: high immunogenicity of HLA class II graft molecules

Τhe clinical significance of de novo post‐transplant anti‐HLA donor‐specific antibodies (DSA) was evaluated using 4241 serum samples collected between 2000 and 2007 from 597 renal transplant recipients. Patients transplanted before December 1996 (n = 77) were included in the historic group and those transplanted thereafter (n = 520) were included in the study group. All recipients were negative for DSA before transplantation (Tx). Post‐Tx, de novo DSA were detected in 92/597 (15.4%) patients, while 196 had third party anti‐HLA antibodies (DSA‐negative). DSA were more frequent in the historic group (33.8%) compared with the study group (12.7%) (P < 0.001). Anti‐HLA class‐II DSA predominated in both groups (84.6% vs. 69.7%). Recipients of HLA class II‐incompatible grafts developed DSA more frequently than those receiving HLA class II‐compatible grafts (17.9% vs.7.9%, P = 0.003), directed mainly against HLA‐DQ graft molecules (64/446, 14.4%). DSA production was not different between presensitized and nonsensitized patients (P = 0.842). Graft survival was higher in patients without antibodies compared with DSA‐positive (log‐rank test, P = 0.002) and DSA‐negative patients (log‐rank test, P = 0.002). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed independent association for DSA class I (HR = 31.78), DSA class II (HR = 20.92) and non‐DSA (HR = 5.94) and graft failure. We conclude that HLA class II incompatible graft transplantations need careful monitoring and should be avoided in high immunological risk cases.     

Incidence of and risk factors for ischemic-type biliary lesions following orthotopic liver transplantation

Ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBL) account for a major part of patients' morbidity and mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The exact origin of this type of biliary complication remains unknown. This study retrospectively evaluated 1843 patients. Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis were excluded from this study. The diagnosis of ITBL was established only when all other causes of destruction of the biliary tree were ruled out.  Donor age ( P  = 0.028) and cold ischemic time (CIT) ( P  = 0.002) were found to be significant risk factors for the development of ITBL.  Organs that were perfused with University of Wisconsin (UW) solution developed ITBL significantly more often than Histidine–Tryptophan–Ketoglutarate (HTK)-perfused organs ( P  = 0.036). The same applied to organs harvested externally and shipped to our center versus those that were procured locally by our harvest teams ( P  < 0.001). Pressure perfusion via the hepatic artery significantly reduced the risk of ITBL ( P  = 0.001). The only recipient factor that showed a significant influence was Child-Pugh score status C ( P  = 0.021). Immunologic factors had no significant impact on ITBL. The clinical consequences of this study for our institution have been the strict limitation of CIT to <10 h and the exclusive use of HTK solution. We further advocate that all organ procurement teams perform pressure perfusion on harvested organs.     

Biliary complications among live donors following live donor liver transplantation

Introduction

In live donor liver transplantation (LDLT), bile duct division is a critical step in donor hepatectomy. Biliary complications hence are a feared sequelae even among donors. Long term data on biliary complications in donors from India are sparse.

Retrograde reperfusion via vena cava lowers the risk of initial nonfunction but increases the risk of ischemic-type biliary lesions in liver transplantation – a randomized clinical trial

Initial nonfunction (INF) and biliary complications such as ischemic-type biliary lesion (ITBL) remain two major complications in clinical orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The influence of ischemia and reperfusion injury (I/R) as a significant risk factor for both complications is widely unquestioned. A new reperfusion technique that reduces I/R injury should lead to a reduction in both INF and ITBL. One hundred and thirty two OLT patients were included in this study and randomized into two groups. Group A underwent standard reperfusion with anterograde simultaneous arterial and portal reperfusion and group B received retrograde reperfusion via the vena cava before sequential anterograde reperfusion of portal vein and hepatic artery. Serum transaminase level as a surrogate parameter for I/R injury and serum bilirubin level as a parameter for graft function were significantly reduced during the first week after OLT in group B. INF rate was 7.7% in group A and 0% in group B (P = 0.058). ITBL incidence was 4.55% in group A versus 12.3% in group B (P = 0.053). Retrograde reperfusion seemed to be beneficial for hepatocytes, but was detrimental for the biliary epithelium. The unexplained increased incidence of ITBL after retrograde reperfusion will be focus of further investigation.     

超声参数－造影剂到达时间成像在肝移植术后缺血性胆管炎中的诊断价值

目的探讨超声参数－造影剂到达时间成像(P-MFI)技术在肝移植术后缺血性胆管炎(ITBL)中的诊断价值。 方法回顾性分析2015年1月1日至2017年12月31日随访期间在中山大学附属第三医院确诊ITBL的25例肝移植受者(ITBL组)临床资料,选取同期肝移植术后随访中移植肝功能正常受者作为对照组(33例)。由2名分别具有8、2年腹部超声诊断经验的医师(医师1和医师2)采用双盲法,分别对所有病例进行超声造影及P-MFI诊断信心评分。采用成组t检验比较ITBL组与对照组年龄以及医师1和医师2对两组受者超声造影和P-MFI诊断信心评分。采用卡方检验或Fisher确切概率法比较两组受者性别、胆管吻合方式、原发病以及医师1和医师2对两组受者P-MFI诊断信心评分差异。采用Kappa检验评价医师1和医师2的诊断一致性。P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。 结果两组受者年龄、性别、胆管吻合方式和原发病等一般资料差异均无统计学差异(P均>0.05)。ITBL组和对照组受者平均P-MFI编辑时间分别为(8.2±1.8)s和(6.8±1.9)s,差异具有统计学意义(t＝－2.516,P<0.05)。对照组动脉首先显影,为红色;随后胆管壁与门静脉管壁显影(几乎为同一时段),胆管壁显影清晰,20例为黄绿色或绿色,9例为绿色和蓝色混合,4例为蓝色与紫色相间;最后为门静脉与肝实质显影,颜色多为蓝色和紫色。ITBL组动脉首先显影,为红色;随后门静脉和肝实质显影,门静脉壁为黄色或绿色,门静脉及肝实质为蓝色或蓝色与紫色相间;最后胆管壁显影,胆管壁显影较晚且不清晰,其中8例颜色充填较好,为绿色,4例为零星点状绿色,10例为稀疏深蓝或紫色,3例无颜色填充。医师1超声造影和P-MFI平均诊断信心评分分别为(4.4±0.5)分和(4.8±0.3)分,差异有统计学意义(t＝25.35,P<0.05)。ITBL组和对照组分别有22、5例P-MFI诊断信心评分高于超声造影,两组差异有统计学意义(χ²＝50.088,P<0.05)。医师2超声造影和P-MFI平均诊断信心评分分别为(4.2±0.6)分和(4.7±0.5)分,差异有统计学意义(t＝22.52,P<0.05);ITBL组和对照组分别有20、6例P-MFI诊断信心评分高于超声造影,两组差异有统计学意义(χ²＝40.798,P<0.05)。两位阅片者对于ITBL组和对照组受者评判一致性分别为较好和一般(Kappa值＝0.706和0.455)。 结论P-MFI技术可更直观、清晰显示胆管壁、肝脏血管及肝实质血流灌注情况,能为肝移植术后并发ITBL的诊断提供更丰富的信息,增强检查者的诊断信心。     

Similar liver transplantation survival with selected cardiac death donors and brain death donors

Background:

The outcome of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) with controlled graft donation after cardiac death (DCD) is usually inferior to that with graft donation after brain death (DBD). This study compared outcomes from OLT with DBD versus controlled DCD donors with predefined restrictive acceptance criteria.

Methods:

All adult recipients in the Netherlands in 2001–2006 with full‐size OLT from DCD (n = 55) and DBD (n = 471) donors were included. Kaplan–Meier, log rank and Cox regression analyses were used.

Results:

One‐ and 3‐year patient survival rates were similar for DCD (85 and 80 per cent) and DBD (86·3 and 80·8 per cent) transplants (P = 0·763), as were graft survival rates (74 and 68 per cent versus 80·4 and 74·5 per cent; P = 0·212). The 3‐year cumulative percentage of surviving grafts developing non‐anastomotic biliary strictures was 31 per cent after DCD and 9·7 per cent after DBD transplantation (P < 0·001). The retransplantation rate was similar overall (P = 0·081), but that for biliary stricture was higher in the DCD group (P < 0·001). Risk factors for 1‐year graft loss after DBD OLT were transplant centre, recipient warm ischaemia time and donor with severe head trauma. After DCD OLT they were transplant centre, donor warm ischaemia time and cold ischaemia time. DCD graft was a risk factor for non‐anastomotic biliary stricture.

Conclusion:

OLT using controlled DCD grafts and restrictive criteria can result in patient and graft survival rates similar to those of DBD OLT, despite a higher risk of biliary stricture. Copyright © 2010 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ureteric complications in recipients of kidneys from donation after circulatory death donors

A large increase in the use of kidneys from donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors prompted us to examine the impact of donor type on the incidence of ureteric complications (UCs; ureteric stenosis, urinary leak) after kidney transplantation. We studied 1072 consecutive kidney transplants (DCD n=494, live donor [LD] n=273, donation after brain death [DBD] n=305) performed during 2008‐2014. Overall, there was a low incidence of UCs after kidney transplantation (3.5%). Despite a trend toward higher incidence of UCs in DCD (n=22, 4.5%) compared to LD (n=10, 3.7%) and DBD (n=5, 1.6%) kidney transplants, donor type was not a significant risk factor for UCs in multivariate analysis (DCD vs DBD HR: 2.33, 95% CI: 0.77‐7.03, P=.13). There was no association between the incidence of UCs and donor, recipient, or transplant‐related characteristics. Management involved surgical reconstruction in the majority of cases, with restenosis in 2.7% requiring re‐operation. No grafts were lost secondary to UCs. Despite a significant increase in the number of kidney transplants from DCD donors, the incidence of UCs remains low. When ureteric complications do occur, they can be treated successfully with surgical reconstruction with no adverse effect on graft or patient survival.     

Preemptive second kidney transplantation is associated with better graft survival compared with non‐preemptive second transplantation: a multicenter French 2000–2014 cohort study

The impact of preemptive second kidney transplantation (2KT) on graft and patient survival is poorly established. The association between preemptive 2KT (p2KT, N = 93) and outcomes was estimated in a multicenter French cohort of 2KT (N = 1314) recipients using propensity score methods. During the follow‐up, there were 274 returns to dialysis and 134 deaths. p2KT was associated with lower death‐censored graft loss (HR = 0.39 [0.18–0.88], P = 0.024) and graft failure from any cause including death (HR = 0.42 [0.22–0.80], P = 0.008). Similar associations were observed for death with a functioning graft, although not reaching statistical significance (HR = 0.47 [0.17–1.26], P = 0.13). There was a significant interaction between donor type and p2KT (P for interaction = 0.016). Indeed, p2KT was not significantly associated with the risk of graft failure from any cause including death in living donor 2KT (P = 0.39), whereas the association was substantial in the deceased donor subset (HR = 0.30 [0.14–0.64], P = 0.002). Of note, the adjusted graft survival of p2KT with deceased donor paralleled that of 2KT with living donor, either preemptive or not (93.8% vs. 88.6% at 4 years and 76.1% vs. 70.5% at 8 years, P = 0.13). This large French multicenter study analyzed using propensity scores suggests that p2KT is associated with better graft prognosis.