Extended Criteria Donors in Liver Transplantation: Adapting Donor Quality and Recipient

Despite the progressive increase in the number of liver transplantations, the mortality on the waiting list remains between 5% and 10%, and patients have to deal with longer waiting periods. Facing this situation, transplant centers have developed alternatives to increase the number of grafts by accepting donors who were previously considered to be inadequate, because they are at higher risk of initial poor function and graft failure or may cause disease transmission. Currently, some marginal donors are being routinely used: elderly donors, steatotic grafts, non-heart-beating donors, hepatitis C virus-positive (HCV+) or hepatitis B core antibody-positive donors. These so-called marginal or extended-criteria donors were initially used in high-risk or urgent recipients; however, the number of marginal grafts has significantly increased, forcing the transplant community toward their more rationale use to maintain excellent results of liver transplantation. In this new scenario, the adequacy between donor and recipient may be paramount. Advanced donor age seems to be related to a greater graft failure rate in HCV+ recipients. Early survival seems to be significantly reduced when steatotic grafts are used in recipients with high Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores. Moreover, a decreased survival has been observed among high-risk patients receiving organs from marginal donors. No benefit seems to exist when high-donor risk index grafts are transplanted into recipients with low MELD Scores. The recognition of various donor groups according to their quality and the need for good donor and recipient selection must lead us to define new policies for organ allocation of marginal grafts that may come into conflict with current policies of organ allocation according to the risk of death among patients awaiting a liver transplantation.     

First Forearm Transplantation: Outcome at 3 Years

We here report on the surgical procedure, postoperative course and functional results at 3 years following the first bilateral forearm transplantation. A 41-year-old male underwent bilateral forearm transplantation on February 17, 2003. After ATG induction therapy, tacrolimus, prednisone and MMF were given for maintenance immunosuppression. At 16 months, MMF was switched to everolimus. Hand function, histology, immunohistochemistry, radiomorphology, motor and nerve conduction and somatosensory-evoked potentials were investigated at frequent intervals. A total of six rejection episodes required treatment with either steroids, basiliximab, ATG, alemtuzumab or tacrolimus dose augmentation. At 3 years, the patient is free of clinical signs of rejection despite a persisting minimal perivascular lymphocytic dermal infiltrate. No signs of myointimal proliferation in graft vessels were seen. Motor function continuously improved, resulting in satisfactory hand function. Intrinsic hand muscle function was first observed at 16 months and continues to improve. Although discrimination of hot and cold recovered, overall sensitivity remains poor. The patient is satisfied with the outcome. Bilateral forearm transplantation represents a novel therapeutic option after loss of forearms.     

National Trends in Extended Criteria Donor Utilization and Outcomes for Lung Transplantation

1. Download : Download high-res image (182KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Crucial Role of Extended Criteria Donors in Deceased Donor Single Kidney Transplantation to Face Chronic Shortage in the Heart of the Mediterranean Basin: A Single-Center Experience

BackgroundThe gap between organ availability and patients on the waiting list for deceased donor kidney transplants has resulted in the wide use of extended criteria donors (ECDs).We aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of single kidney transplantation (KT) performed at our institute with standard criteria donor (SCD) or ECD grafts, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network definition. Patients and methods. Our retrospective analysis studied 115 adult recipients of KT from January 2016 to July 2018, with kidney grafts procured from adult donors after brain or circulatory death, performed at our institute. Among the 2 recipients’ groups, we compared the incidence of early graft loss, delayed graft function, hospitalization, and surgical complications. We compared the evaluation of time to early graft loss with Kaplan-Meier estimators and curves; the hypothesis of no difference in time to graft loss between the 2 groups was tested using the log-rank statistics.ResultsOf the 103 deceased donor kidney transplants during the study period, 129 grafts were used after the regional network sharing allocation. More frequently, ECDs had a greater body mass index than SCDs (25.2 ± 3.9 vs 27.7 ± 5.0, P = .005) and type II diabetes mellitus (0% vs 18%, P = .002). KT recipients who received an ECD graft (73, 63.5%) were older (59.8 ± 9.8 vs 45.2 ± 15.4, P < .001) and presented a higher rate of delayed graft function (56% vs 24%, P = .001). Post-transplant graft loss did not differ among the 2 groups.ConclusionBased on clinical experience in a single transplant center, ECD use for KTs is crucial in facing the organ shortage, without impairing post-deceased donor kidney transplant outcomes.     

Excellent Long-term Outcome of ABO-Incompatible Living Donor Kidney Transplantation in Japan

Owing to the severe shortage of cadaveric grafts in Japan, we have performed ABO-incompatible living donor kidney transplantation since 1989. This study assessed short- and long-term outcomes in 441 patients who received ABO-incompatible living donor kidney transplants between January 1989 and December 2001. We compared our results with historical data from 1055 recipients of living kidney transplantation. Overall patient survival rates 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 years after ABO-incompatible transplantation were 93%, 89%, 87%, 85%, and 84%, respectively. Corresponding overall graft survival rates were 84%, 80%, 71%, 65%, and 59%. After ABO-incompatible transplantation, graft survival rates were significantly higher in patients 29 years or younger than in those 30 years or older and in patients who received anticoagulation therapy than in those who did not receive such therapy. There were no significant differences between A-incompatible and B-incompatible recipients with respect to clinical outcomes. The graft survival rate at 1 year in the historical controls was slightly but not significantly higher than that in our recipients of ABO-incompatible transplants. We conclude that long-term outcome in recipients of ABO-incompatible living kidneys is excellent. Transplantation of ABO-incompatible kidneys from living donors is a radical, but effective treatment for end-stage renal disease.     

Single or Double Arteries in the Remnant Kidney After Donation: Influence on the Long-Term Outcome of the Donor

Background

A kidney with a single artery is preferred for donation. We wondered how often the donor is left with double or triple arteries, and whether this has any implications for long-term kidney function.

Methods

The consecutive living donors from 1984 to 1988 were reevaluated for kidney function and outcome.

Results

In total, 154 donor nephrectomies were performed with an open anterior technique. Ninety-eight patients were left with a single artery to the remnant kidney and 56 (36%) with more than one. Six individuals were left with 3 arteries. The mean age at donation was 48 ± 12 years and mean age at reevaluation was 68 ± SD 12 years. In the group with a remnant single artery, the mean preoperative serum creatinine level was 87 ± 11 μmol/L, at 6 months it was 127 ± 20 μmol/L, and in 2007 it was 90 ± SD 23 μmol/L. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 67 ± 18 mL/min. Thirty-three percent of donors (19/58) had developed hypertension. Among the group with multiple remnant arteries, the mean preoperative serum creatinine level was 87 ± SD 11 μmol/L, at 6 months it was 131 ± 21 μmol/L, and in 2007 it was 100 ± 45 μmol/L. Estimated GFR was 64 ± 16) mL/min. Twenty-eight percent of the donors (10/36) had developed hypertension.

Conclusions

One third of kidney donors were left with double or triple arteries to the remnant kidney. The 20-year follow-up showed no significant difference in the renal function between the 2 groups.     

Preemptive Kidney Transplantation: Analysis of Kidney Grafts From the Same Donor

Background

From November 2003 to December 2012, in the Gdańsk Center, 64 patients received preemptive transplantation (PET). PET comprised 8% of 794 kidney transplantations performed during this time. The benefits for individual patients and for the health care system are discussed.

Methods

This study compares the outcomes of these PET patients who had their kidney pairs transplanted after a variable duration of dialysis (PTD), a total of 51 pairs.

Results

The mean Charlson comorbidity index was 2.57 vs 3.04 (P > .05) for the PET and PTD groups, respectively. Both groups did not differ significantly with respect to 1-year patient and graft survivals, and incidences of acute rejection. Five (9.8%) PET patients and 20 (39%) PTD patients experienced delayed graft function (P < .05). The graft function (serum creatinine/4p MDRD) 1 year after transplantation was similar in both groups (1.42/53.7 vs 1.43/57.4; mg/dL/mL/min/1.73 m²). More PET patients continued normal professional activities or education before and after transplantation (P < .05).

Conclusions

Our single-center results confirmed that for both medical and socioeconomic reasons, PET is an optimal mode of renal replacement therapy.     

Effect of Donor-Recipient Age Match in Expanded Criteria Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation

Purpose

Our objective was to investigate the effects of age on patient and graft survival in expanded criteria donor (ECD) renal transplantation.

Impact of Recipient and Donor Nonimmunologic Factors on the Outcome of Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation

Objective

To study the influence of nonimmunologic factors on the outcome of extended criteria deceased donor (DD) kidney transplants.

Method

This is a retrospective study of DD transplantation carried out from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2007, to investigate the impact on graft survival and function of donor renal function at retrieval, cold ischemia time (CIT), delayed graft function (DGF), acute rejection episodes (ARE), age, and weight of donors and recipients, transplant center activities, cause of donor death, donor-recipient gender pairing and size of the donating intensive care unit (ICU).

Results

At retrieval, the frequency of donors with a creatinine clearance <60 mL/min, using the Cockcroft-Gault formula, and age >40 years were 31.7% and 32%, respectively. CIT > 24 hours, DGF, and ARE occurred in 27.1%, 33.4%, and 16.5% of cases, respectively. The overall 1- and 5-year graft and patient survival rates were 88% and 79.8% and 96.6% and 92.3%, respectively. The graft function was inferior with occurrences of ARE (P = .0001), DGF (P = .0001), CIT > 20 hours (P = .005), nontraumatic the donor death (P = .022), and donor ICUs bed capacity <20 (P = .03). The odds ratio (OR) for graft loss with DGF, ARE, and donors right kidneys were 7.74 (95% confidence interval [CI] 6-13.4; P = .0001), 4.47 (95% CI, 2.6-7.6; P = .0001) and 1.7 (95% CI, 1-2.8; P = .045), respectively. Graft function was not influenced by donor renal function at retrieval, donor weight, or donor- recipient gender pairings.

Conclusion

CIT and ARE had an impact on both graft survival and function. DGF and cerebrovascular accidents as the cause of donor death negatively affected graft function during follow-up. ICU center experience had a positive impact on graft survival. Patient survival was affected by recipient age >50 years and female to male donation versus other gender pairings. Neither donor age nor acute terminal rise in the donor serum creatinine affected graft function or survival, or patient mortality.     

Outcomes of Expanded-Criteria Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation in a Single Center

Background

In an effort to expand the deceased donor pool, transplant centers have accepted expanded-criteria donors as appropriate for many of the patients in the deceased donor pool. We investigated expanded-criteria deceased donor kidney transplantation and compared the outcomes of kidney transplantation according to donor types.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 88 kidney transplantations performed between June 2006 and December 2012. We divided the patient into 4 groups: SCDD, standard-criteria deceased donor; ECDD, expanded-criteria deceased donor; ECMO, donor under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support; living donor.

Results

Deceased and living donor kidney transplantations were performed in 52 (59.1%) and 36 (40.9%) cases, respectively. Among deceased donors, 31 (35.2%) were standard-criteria donors and 14 cases (15.9%) were expanded-criteria donors. Seven (8.0%) donors were under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Mean follow-up was 26.1 ± 20 months. Average number of HLA mismatches among the donor types was 3.39, 3.07, 3.0, and 2.94 in SCDD, ECDD, ECMO, and living donor groups, respectively (P = .708). Delayed graft function occurred in 2 (6.9%), 3 (21.4%), 3 (42.9%), and 3 (8.3%) patients in the SCDD, ECDD, ECMO, and living donor groups, respectively (P = .043). Episodes of acute rejection within a year occurred in 14 (45.2%), 2 (14.3%), 1 (14.3%), and 6 (16.7%) patients in the SCDD, ECDD, ECMO, and living donor groups, respectively (P = .029). Renal functions after kidney transplantation at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year were not significantly different according to donor types. Graft survival was not different among the different donor types (87.1%, 92.8%, 85.7%, 91.7% in SCDD, ECDD, ECMO, and living donor groups, respectively; P = .67). Patient survival was not different among the different donor types (87.1%, 92.9%, 100%, 97.2% in SCDD, ECDD, ECMO, and living donor group, respectively; P = .36).

Conclusion

The use of expanded-criteria deceased donor had no impact on graft or patient survival after kidney transplantation.     

Outcome of Kidney Transplantation With Transumbilical Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Donor Nephrectomy: A Single-Center Experience

AimThe aim of this study is to present the outcome of kidney transplantation after laparoendoscopic single-site donor nephrectomy (LESS DN) compared with conventional laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) in a single-center experience.MethodsThis retrospective study compares data from the initial experience with 110 consecutive LESS DN donors and their recipients (group A) with 205 consecutive conventional LDN donors and their recipients (group B).ResultsThis study compared 110 LESS DNs completed in an 18-month period with 205 LDNs completed in the immediately preceding 42-month period. All procedures were performed by the same surgeon. In groups A and B, respectively, the incidence of immediate graft function was 90% vs 91.2%, slow graft function was 9% vs 5.3%, delayed graft function was 0.9% vs 2.9%, graft loss was 0.9% vs 2.9%, and death with a functioning graft was 0.9% vs 1.5%. The mean serum creatinine levels were 1.3 ± 0.93 mg/dL vs 1.4 ± 1.2 mg/dL (P = .447), 1.1 ± 0.33 mg/dL vs 1.2 ± 0.75 mg/dL (P = .184), and 1.05 ± 0.25 mg/dL vs 1.1 ± 0.39 mg/dL (P = .224) at 7, 30, and 365 days after transplantation. The estimated glomerular filtration rate at 1 year was 88 ± 18.2 vs 83 ± 12.2 mL/min/1.73 m² (P = .004). The mean donor operative times in groups A and B were 175.9 ± 24.9 minutes vs 199.88 ± 37.06 minutes (P = .0001), respectively, and the mean warm ischemia time was 5.2 ± 1.02 minutes vs 3.64 ± 1.38 minutes, respectively (P = .0001). The mean body mass index, the incidence of complex vascular anatomy, and the rate of complications were the same in the 2 donor groups.ConclusionsThe outcome of kidney transplantation after LESS DN is comparable to conventional LDN. LESS DN can be employed as the primary approach for kidney donation with low donor risk and without compromising recipient outcomes.     

Long-Term Outcomes of Kidney Transplantation From Expanded Criteria Deceased Donors at a Single Center: Comparison With Standard Criteria Deceased Donors

Our objective was to compare the clinical outcomes of adult kidney transplants from expanded criteria deceased donors (ECD) with those from concurrent standard criteria deceased donors (SCD). Between January 2000 and December 2011, we transplanted 195 deceased donor renal transplants into adult recipients, including 31 grafts (15.9%) from ECDs and 164 grafts (84.1%) from SCDs. ECDs were classified using the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) definitions. Donor and recipient risk factors were analyzed separately and their correlation with recipient graft function and survival was evaluated (minimum 6-month follow-up). ECDs were older (56.8 ± 6.3 years), showed an increased incidence of hypertension, diabetes, and cerebrovascular brain death, and had a higher preretrieval serum creatinine level than SCDs. ECD kidney recipients had a shorter waiting time (P = .019) but other baseline characteristics (age, gender, body mass index [BMI], cause of end-stage renal disease, type of renal replacement therapy, incidence of diabetes and hypertension, number of HLA antigen mismatches, positivity for panel-reactive antigen, and cold ischemic time) were not significantly different from those of SCD kidney recipients. Mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years after transplantation was significantly lower in recipients of ECD transplants than recipients of SCD transplants, but the GFR level at 5 and 10 years was not significantly different between ECD and SCD recipient groups (P = .134 and .702, respectively). Incidence of acute rejection episodes and surgical complications did not differ significantly between the 2 recipient groups, but the incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) and infectious complications was higher in ECD kidney recipients than SCD kidney recipients (P = .007 and P = .008, respectively). Actual patient and graft survival rates were similar between the 2 recipient groups with a mean follow-up of 43 months. There were no significant differences in graft survival (P = .111) or patient survival (P = .562) between the 2 groups. Although intermediate-term renal function followed longitudinally was better in SCD kidney recipients, graft and patient survival of ECD kidney recipients were comparable with those of SCD kidney recipients. In conclusion, use of renal grafts from ECDs is a feasible approach to address the critical organ shortage.     

Comparative Analysis of ABO-Incompatible Living Donor Kidney Transplantation With ABO-Compatible Grafts: A Single-Center Experience in Korea

Introduction

Serious organ shortages have necessitated the use of ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidneys transplantation, which has been increasingly preformed in Korea. However there are few detailed comparative data regarding patient and graft survival, graft function, and complications in Korean patients receiving ABO-compatible (ABOc) and ABOi kidney transplants (KT).

Methods

This retrospective study compared 35 consecutive ABOi living donor KTs with 138 ABOc living donor KTs using same immunosuppressive regimens. We examined preoperative demographic factors, immunologic risk factors, patient and graft survivals, postoperative renal function, acute rejection episodes, infections, medical and surgical complications, duration of hospital stay as well as cause for readmission, and their rates.

Results

Patient survival, graft survival, and graft function over the 2 years after transplantation were similar between the 2 groups. There were no significant differences in terms of complications with exception of bleeding and BK virus infection. Acute antibody-mediated rejection episodes, bleeding complications, BK virus infections, and preoperative hospital stay were significantly greater in the ABOi group (P = .001, P = .002, P = .005, and P < .001 respectively).

Conclusions

We concluded that, despite some disadvantages, ABOi KT is a viable, safe option for patients whose only available donor is blood group incompatible.     

A Description of the Costs of Living and Standard Criteria Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation

Kidney transplantation improves quality of life and survival and is associated with lower health care costs compared with dialysis. We described and compared the costs of living and standard criteria for deceased donor kidney transplantation. Patients included adult recipients of a first kidney‐only transplant between April 1, 1998, and March 31, 2006, as well as their donor information. All costs (outpatient care, diagnostic imaging, inpatient care, physician claims, laboratory tests and transplant medications) for 2 years after transplant for recipients and transplant‐related costs prior to transplant (donor workup and management) were included. Complete cost information was available for 357 recipients. The mean total 2‐year cost of transplantation, including donor costs, for recipients of living and deceased donors was $118 347 (95% confidence interval [CI], 110 395–126 299) and $121 121 (95% CI 114 287–127 956), respectively (p = 0.7). The mean cost for a living donor was $18 129 (95% CI 16 845–19 414) and for a deceased donor was $36 989 (95% CI 34 421–39 558). Living donor kidney transplantation has similar costs at 2 years compared with deceased donor transplantation. These results can be used by health care decision makers to inform strategies to increase donation.