Preoperative single-bolus high-dose antithymocyte globulin as induction therapy in sensitized renal transplant recipients:

[Renal transplantation in recipients with moderate presensitization]

AIM

to comparatively assess desensitization schemes with and without plasmapheresis in patients with low presensitization.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The investigators studied the efficiency of the two desensitization schemes (cascade plasma filtration + intravenous immunoglobulin used in a dose of 100 mg/kg in 19 patients (a study group; panel reactive antibodies (PRA) 25.1±6.1%) versus 2 g/kg in 23 patients (a comparison group, PRA 18.9±4.4%). The crossmatch reaction was negative in both groups. The median follow-up period was 23.5 (quartiles 1 and 3: 10.25 and 26) months.

RESULTS

The study group was noted to have 6 episodes of acute rejection and 1 episode of infection; the comparison group had 13 and 3 episodes, respectively. The overall renal graft survival was 79 and 65% in the study and comparison groups, respectively; the 1-year graft survival was 94 and 62%. Graft function was significantly better in the study group: there was a lower daily proteinuria level (p<0.001) at 3 months after transplantation; a higher glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (p=0.001) and a lower daily proteinuria level (p=0.01) at 6 months; a lower serum creatinine comcentration (p=0.001) and lower daily proteinuria (p=0.001) and a higher GFR (p=0.001) at one year.

CONCLUSION

Even with the relatively low level of sensitization, there is an increase in the frequency of acute rejection episodes and worse graft function. The efficiency of desensitization using cascade plasma filtration and low-dose intravenous immunoglobulin is higher than that with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin.

An update on the impact of pre-transplant transfusions and allosensitization on time to renal transplant and on allograft survival

Background

Blood transfusions have the potential to improve graft survival, induce sensitization, and transmit infections. Current clinical practice is to minimize transfusions in renal transplantation candidates, but it is unclear if the evidence continues to support pre-transplant transfusion avoidance. Changes in the Medicare prospective payment system may increase transfusion rates. Thus there is a need to re-evaluate the literature to improve the management options for renal transplant candidates.

Methods

A review applying a systematic approach and conducted using MEDLINE^®, Embase^®, and the Cochrane Library for English-language publications (timeframe: 01/1984–03/2011) captured 180 studies and data from publically available registries and assessed the impact of transfusions on allosensitization and graft survival, and the impact of allosensitization on graft survival and wait time.

Results

Blood transfusions continued to be a major cause of allosensitization, with allosensitization associated with increased rejection and graft loss, and longer wait times to transplantation. Although older studies showed a beneficial effect of transfusion on graft survival, this benefit has largely disappeared in the post-cyclosporine era due to improved graft outcomes with current practice. Recent data suggested that it may be the donor-specific antibody component of allosensitization that carried the risk to graft outcomes.

Conclusions

Results of this review indicated that avoiding transfusions whenever possible is a sound management option that could prevent detrimental effects in patients awaiting kidney transplantation.