The evaluation of living renal transplant donors: clinical practice guidelines. Ad Hoc Clinical Practice Guidelines Subcommittee of the Patient Care and Education Committee of the American Society of Transplant Physicians

Current Perspectives on Endourological Ex Vivo Stone Interventions in Kidney Transplantation: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review (SR) of literature to assess the existing evidence concerning the success and complications of endourological ex vivo stone surgeries.

METHODS

Eligible studies for inclusion focused on investigating the success and/or complications related to endourological ex vivo surgeries in donors with nephrolithiasis. A SR was undertaken in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The search included databases of Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus and only article in English were included. Studies published between 2002 and 2023 included in this SR.

RESULTS

After screening 1726 abstracts, this SR included 16 studies with a total of 209 patients. The mean stone size was 5.6 mm and majority of kidneys contained single stones, located in the lower calyx. After ex vivo endourological stone surgeries, the average stone-free rate was found to be 95.4%. The mean duration of ex vivo surgery was 17.3 minutes. Regarding intraoperative complications, two patients (1%) experienced mucosal injuries during pneumatic lithotripsy. As for postoperative complications, two patients (1%) experienced vascular complications. In terms of urological complications, hematuria was observed in 24 patients (11.5%), while one patient (0.5%) experienced clot formation in renal pelvis. Seven patients (3.3%) had urinary tract infections, and three patients (1.4%) developed urolithiasis during the follow-up. Additionally, one patient (0.5%) experienced complete occlusion of ureteroneocystostomy and required revision.

CONCLUSION

Given the advancements in current technology and techniques, endourological ex vivo stone surgeries are increasingly recognized as an effective and safe option for donors with nephrolithiasis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This systematic review was registered under the protocol registration number CRD42024538384/PROSPERO.

Cognitive decline related to chronic kidney disease as an exclusion factor from kidney transplantation: results from an international survey

Background and hypothesis

There seems to be a lack of consensus on the necessity and the modality of psychological and specifically cognitive assessment of candidates for kidney transplantation. Both points are often delegated to individual hospitals/centres, whereas international guidelines are inconsistent. We think it is essential to investigate professionals' opinions to advance towards a consistent clinical practice.

Methods

This paper presents the results of an international survey among clinical professionals, mainly nephrologists from the CONNECT (Cognitive decline in Nephro-Neurology: European Cooperative Target) network and beyond (i.e. from personal contacts of CONNECT members). The survey investigated their opinions about the question of whether cognitive decline in patients with chronic kidney disease may affect their eligibility for kidney transplantation.

Results

Our results show that most clinicians working with patients affected by chronic kidney disease think that cognitive decline may challenge their eligibility for transplantation despite data that suggest that, in some patients, cognitive problems improve after kidney transplantation.

Conclusion

We conclude that three needs emerge as particularly pressing: defining agreed-on standards for a multifaceted and multifactorial assessment (i.e. including both clinical/medical and psychosocial factors) of candidates with chronic kidney disease to kidney transplantation; further investigating empirically the causal connection between chronic kidney disease and cognition; and further investigating empirically the possible partial reversibility of cognitive decline after kidney transplantation.

[Anesthesia for organ transplant patients]

Organ transplant patients who must undergo nontransplant surgical interventions can be challenging for the anesthesiologists in charge. On the one hand, it is important to carefully monitor the graft function in the perioperative period with respect to the occurrence of a possible rejection reaction. On the other hand, the ongoing immunosuppression may have to be adapted to the perioperative requirements in terms of the active substance and the route of administration, the resulting increased risk of infection and possible side effects (e.g., myelosuppression, nephrotoxicity and impairment of wound healing) must be included in the perioperative treatment concept. Furthermore, possible persistent comorbidities of the underlying disease and physiological peculiarities as a result of the organ transplantation must be taken into account. Support can be obtained from the expertise of the respective transplantation center.

Treatment of donors' asymptomatic small kidney stones and post-transplant outcomes: a meta-analysis

Kidney donors with asymptomatic small kidney stones were increasingly accepted in kidney transplantation (KT) due to organ shortage and advances in endoscopic urology. However, recipients' clinical outcomes using these donors remained unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis to summarize transplant outcomes using these donors with asymptomatic small kidney stones. Finally, 15 retrospective studies were included. The prevalence of asymptomatic small kidney stones was 5.3% (95%CI 3.5-7.8%). After transplantation, low incidence of urinary fistula (0%, 95%CI 0-1.0%), obstruction (0%, 95%CI 0-1.1%), relapse of kidney graft stone (0.3%, 95%CI 0-2.5%), and delayed graft function (0.6%, 95%CI 0-3.5%) was reported. Pooled serum creatinine was 1.3 (95%CI 1.2-1.5) mg/dl and 1.4 (95%CI 1.2-1.6) mg/dl at post-transplant 1 month and 1 year, respectively. Notably, we observed numerically higher relapse rate after conservative management (1.8% [0-9.2%] vs 0% [0-1.8%]) but numerically higher DGF rate after surgical removal of asymptomatic stones (1.8% [0-7.0%] vs 0% [0-1.9%]). Overall, short-term transplant outcomes using kidneys with asymptomatic small stones were acceptable. However, long-term transplant outcomes remained unexplored. Well-designed prospective studies are also needed to compare the efficacy of conservative management with surgical removal of "donors' gifted" asymptomatic kidney stones.

Outcomes of live renal donors with a history of nephrolithiasis; A systematic review

The clinical outcomes of kidney donors with a prior history of nephrolithiasis are poorly defined. We conducted a systematic review assessing the post-donation clinical outcomes of kidney donors with a history of nephrolithiasis. Electronic databases (Ovid and Embase) were searched between 1960 and 2021 using key terms and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) - nephrolithiasis, renal stones, renal transplantation and renal graft. Articles included conference proceedings and journal articles and were not excluded based on patient numbers. Primary outcome was donor stone-related event. Secondary outcomes were renal function upon follow-up or post-operative nephrectomy complications. In summary, 340 articles were identified through database search. We identified 14 studies (16 cohorts) comprising 432 live donors followed up for a median of 26 months post live kidney donation. Six donors donated the stone-free kidney whilst 23 live donors had bilateral stones. Mean stone size was 4.2 ± 1.4 mm (1-16) with average follow up duration of 21.1 months (1-149). Twelve studies provided primary outcome (n = 138 patients) and eight (n = 348) for secondary outcomes. One donor had a stone-related event upon follow up. A total of 195 patients had eGFR <60 upon follow up. However, they were not significantly different when compared to renal function of live donors that didn't have pre-donation nephrolithiasis. Many of the studies couldn't provide long term follow up, coupled with limited data regarding the nature of the pre-donation stone disease. In conclusion, this systematic review shows that we have very limited information upon which to base recommendation regarding pre-donation risk of post-donation complications. Longer term follow up is required and lifelong follow up with live donor registries will aid further understanding.

Approach to genetic testing to optimize the safety of living donor transplantation in Alport syndrome spectrum

Alport syndrome spectrum can be considered as a group of genetic diseases affecting the major basement membrane collagen type IV network in various organs including the ear, eye, and kidney. The living donor candidate evaluation is an ever-changing landscape. Recently, next-generation sequence (NGS) panels have become readily available and provide opportunities to genetically screen recipient and donor candidates for collagen network gene variants. In this review, our aim is to provide a comprehensive update on the role of genetic testing for the evaluation of potential living kidney donors to kidney candidates with Alport syndrome spectrum. We examine the utility of genetic testing in the evaluation of potential donors for recipients with Alport syndrome spectrum, and discuss risks and unresolved challenges. Suggested algorithms in the context of related and unrelated donation are offered. In contemporary practice, an approach to the evaluation of living donor candidates for transplant candidates with Alport syndrome spectrum can incorporate genetic testing in algorithms tailored for donor-recipient relationship status. Ongoing research is needed to inform optimal practice.

Barriers to the donation of living kidneys for kidney transplantation

Since the waiting time for deceased donor kidney transplantation continues to increase, living donor kidney transplantation is an important treatment for end stage kidney disease patients. Barriers to living kidney donation have been rarely investigated despite a growing interest in the utilization of living donor transplantation and the satisfaction of donor safety. Here, we retrospectively analyzed 1658 potential donors and 1273 potential recipients who visited the Seoul National University Hospital for living kidney transplantation between 2010 and 2017 to study the causes of donation discontinuation. Among 1658 potential donors, 902 (54.4%) failed to donate kidneys. The average number of potential donors that received work-up was 1.30 ± 0.66 per recipient. Among living donor kidney transplant patients, 75.1% received kidneys after work-up of the first donor and 24.9% needed work-up of two or more donors. Donor-related factors (49.2%) were the most common causes of donation discontinuation, followed by immunologic or size mismatches between donors and recipients (25.4%) and recipient-related factors (16.2%). Interestingly, withdrawal of donation consent along with refusal by recipients or family were the commonest causes, suggesting the importance of non-biomedical aspects. The elucidation of the barriers to living kidney donation could ensure more efficient and safer living kidney donation.

Practice Patterns for the Acceptance of Medically Complex Living Kidney Donors with Hematuria, Sickle Cell Trait, Smoking, Illegal Drug Use, or Urological Issues: A Multinational Survey

Background  To review the practice patterns for the acceptance of medically complex living kidney donors (MCLKD) among the transplant providers of the international transplant community. Methods  We distributed a survey globally, through major international transplantation societies, among nephrologists and transplant surgeons (TS). The survey contained questions regarding potential donors with microscopic hematuria, sickle cell trait, renal cysts, kidney stones, smoking, or illegal drug use. Results  There were 239 respondents from 29 countries, including nephrologists (42%) and TS (58%). Although most respondents would investigate microscopic hematuria, one-third of them indicated they would decline these potential donors without investigation. Interestingly, most respondents accepted heavy smokers, intermittent illegal drug users (with advice to quit), and those with incidentally identified kidney stones, remote history of renal colic or simple renal cysts. We found multiple areas of consensus in practice with some interesting differences between nephrologists and TS. Conclusions  This survey highlights the practice patterns of the acceptance of MCLKDs among the international community. In the absence of clear guidelines, this survey provides additional information to counsel kidney donors with microscopic hematuria, sickle cell trait, renal cysts, kidney stones, heavy smoking, or illegal drug use.

Living Donor Gifted Lithiasis: Long-Term Outcomes in Recipients

OBJECTIVES

Presence of nephrolithiasis in a living donor has been at least a relative contraindication to living donor nephrectomy. The concern for stone recurrence and outcomes has been one of the reasons for reluctance to consider these medically complex donors. We evaluate long-term outcomes in recipients of kidney grafts from donors with nephrolithiasis, or history of nephrolithiasis, and provide results from our experience at Indiana University.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 57 donor-recipient pairs, where the allograft was received from a living donor with symptomatic calculi, or with imaging evidence of kidney stones, between 2003 and 2018. This research study was done in compliance with the ethical standards set forth in the Helsinki Congress.

RESULTS

The mean age of recipients was 46±19 years and 58% were male. Kidney recipients were followed for a median of 3.5 years and 59.6% of patients had follow-up imaging studies. None of the recipients had obstructing renal calculi or related infections. None of the recipients required any interventions for recurrent calculi and no stone episode lead to adverse event to the graft. Hyperoxaluria and hypercalciuria were the most common risk factors in 24-hour urine collections obtained from donors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings from a single large center looking at kidney recipient outcomes over a long follow-up period found that gifted lithiasis is a safe procedure. Careful selection of "medically complex donors" with kidney stones based on appropriate guidelines is a key step. Further studies are needed to help develop consensus guidelines.

Outcomes of Renal Stone Surgery Performed Either as Predonation or Ex Vivo Bench Procedure in Renal Grafts from Living Donors: A Systematic Review

AIMS

We aimed to summarize available evidence about intraoperative and postoperative donors' and recipients' outcomes following stone surgery in renal grafts from living donors performed either before donation or as ex vivo bench surgery at the time of living-donor nephrectomy.

METHODS

A systematic review of PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Scopus databases was performed in September 2020. We included full papers that met the following criteria: original research, English language, human studies, and describing the results of stone surgery in renal grafts from living donors performed either before transplantation or as ex vivo bench surgery.

RESULTS

We identified 11 studies involving 106 patients aged between 22 and 72 years. Predonation and bench stone surgery was performed in 9 (8.5%) and 96 (90.6%) patients, respectively. Predonation stone surgery involved extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, retrograde intrarenal surgery, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy in 8, 1, and 1 patient, respectively. The overall success rate of predonation stone surgery was 78%, and the complication rate was 0%. Bench stone surgery involved ureteroscopy, pyelolithotomy, or a combination of both in 79 (82.3%), 10 (10.4%), and 7 (7.3%) cases, respectively, with an overall success rate of 95.8% and an overall complication rate of 9.37%.

CONCLUSIONS

Predonation and bench stone surgery in grafts from living donors represents efficacious and safe procedures. Further studies on wider series with a longer follow-up are required.

Differences in national and international guidelines regarding use of kidney stone formers as living kidney donors

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Traditionally, nephrolithiasis was considered a relative contraindication to kidney donation because of a risk of recurrent stones in donors and adverse stone-related outcomes in recipients. However, the scarcity of organs has driven the transplant community to re-examine and broaden selection criteria for living donors with stones. In this review, we summarize and contrast the guidelines published by various prominent national and international societies on this topic.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although recent iterations of living donor guidelines are less stringent with respect to nephrolithiasis than those published in the 1990s, there is little consensus among national and international transplant society guidelines regarding selection criteria for potential kidney donors with nephrolithiasis.

SUMMARY

The lack of evidence-based guidelines deters transplant centers from implementing selection criteria to accept donors with nephrolithiasis and discourages studies of outcomes in donors with nephrolithiasis and their recipients. In addition to drawing attention to the disparities in prevailing guidelines, we put forth several questions that must be answered before generalizable criteria for selection of donor with nephrolithiasis can be developed.

Donor-Recipient Relationship and Risk of ESKD in Live Kidney Donors of Varied Racial Groups

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

Risk factors for kidney failure are the basis of live kidney donor candidate evaluation. We quantified risk for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) by the biological relationship of the donor to the recipient, a risk factor that is not addressed by current clinical practice guidelines.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

A cohort of 143,750 US kidney donors between 1987 and 2017.

EXPOSURE

Biological relationship of donor and recipient.

OUTCOME

ESKD. Donors' records were linked to national dialysis and transplantation registries to ascertain development of the outcome.

ANALYTIC APPROACH

Donors were observed over a median of 12 (interquartile range, 6-18; maximum, 30) years. Survival analysis methods that account for the competing risk for death were used.

RESULTS

Risk for ESKD varied by orders of magnitude across donor-recipient relationship categories. For Asian donors, risks compared with unrelated donors were 259.4-fold greater for identical twins (95% CI, 19.5-3445.6), 4.7-fold greater for full siblings (95% CI, 0.5-41.0), 3.5-fold greater for offspring (95% CI, 0.6-39.5), 1.0 for parents, and 1.0 for half-sibling or other biological relatives. For black donors, risks were 22.5-fold greater for identical twin donors (95% CI, 4.7-107.0), 4.1-fold for full siblings (95% CI, 2.1-7.8), 2.7-fold for offspring (95% CI, 1.4-5.4), 3.1-fold for parents (95% CI, 1.4-6.8), and 1.3-fold for half-sibling or other biological relatives (95% CI, 0.5-3.3). For white donors, risks were 3.5-fold greater for identical twin donors (95% CI, 0.5-25.3), 2.0-fold for full siblings (95% CI, 1.4-2.8), 1.4-fold for offspring (95% CI, 0.9-2.3), 2.9-fold for parents (95% CI, 2.0-4.1), and 0.8-fold for half-sibling or other biological relatives (95% CI, 0.3-1.6).

LIMITATIONS

Insufficient sample size in some race and relationship groups. Absence of data for family history of kidney disease for donors biologically unrelated to their recipients.

CONCLUSIONS

Marked differences in risk for ESKD across types of donor-recipient relationship were observed for Asian, black, and white donors. These findings warrant further validation with more robust data to better inform clinical practice guidelines.

Living kidney donation from people at risk of nephrolithiasis, with a focus on the genetic forms

Deciding whether to accept a donor with nephrolithiasis is a multifaceted task because of the challenge of finding enough suitable donors while at the same time ensuring the safety of both donors and recipients. Until not long ago, donors with a history of renal stones or with stones emerging during screening on imaging were not considered ideal, but recent guidelines have adopted less stringent criteria for potential donors at risk of stones. This review goes through the problems that need to be approached to arrive at a wise clinical decision, balancing the safety of donors and recipients with the need to expand the organ pool. The risk of declining renal function and worsening stone formation is examined. Documents (consensus statements, guidelines, etc.) on this issue released by the most important medical societies and organizations are discussed and compared. Specific problems of living kidney donation associated with certain systemic (chronic hypercalcemia due to CYP24A1 gene mutations, primary hyperoxaluria, APRT deficiency) and renal (medullary sponge kidney, cystinuria, distal renal tubular acidosis, Dent's disease, Bartter syndrome, familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis) Mendelian disorders that cause nephrolithiasis are also addressed.

Living Related Renal Transplantation Using a Saphenous Vein Graft: A Case Report

We report a case of living related renal transplantation that used the recipient's saphenous vein as a graft to extend the length of the right donor renal vein. A 41-year-old woman underwent ABO-incompatible living related renal transplantation from her 74-year-old mother in November 2014. A retroperitoneal laparoscopic right donor nephrectomy was performed, because the right kidney showed a cyst on preoperative computed tomography. As the right kidney after donor nephrectomy had a short renal vein and the kidney was large at 280 g, anastomosis with the external iliac vein was difficult. Therefore, we obtained the recipient's 15-cm-long right saphenous vein and created a 1 cm saphenous vein graft. We anastomosed 1 side of the saphenous vein graft to the allograft renal vein in bench surgery and performed end-to-side anastomosis of the other end to the recipient's external iliac vein. The allograft renal artery was used to perform end-to-end anastomosis to the recipient's internal iliac artery. Allograft kidney function was good after transplantation. When the longer axis of the renal graft vein is short, as in the right kidney, a saphenous vein graft may be useful.

The ELPAT living organ donor Psychosocial Assessment Tool (EPAT): from 'what' to 'how' of psychosocial screening - a pilot study

Thorough psychosocial screening of donor candidates is required in order to minimize potential negative consequences and to strive for optimal safety within living donation programmes. We aimed to develop an evidence-based tool to standardize the psychosocial screening process. Key concepts of psychosocial screening were used to structure our tool: motivation and decision-making, personal resources, psychopathology, social resources, ethical and legal factors and information and risk processing. We (i) discussed how each item per concept could be measured, (ii) reviewed and rated available validated tools, (iii) where necessary developed new items, (iv) assessed content validity and (v) pilot-tested the new items. The resulting ELPAT living organ donor Psychosocial Assessment Tool (EPAT) consists of a selection of validated questionnaires (28 items in total), a semi-structured interview (43 questions) and a Red Flag Checklist. We outline optimal procedures and conditions for implementing this tool. The EPAT and user manual are available from the authors. Use of this tool will standardize the psychosocial screening procedure ensuring that no psychosocial issues are overlooked and ensure that comparable selection criteria are used and facilitate generation of comparable psychosocial data on living donor candidates.

Ex-vivo ureteroscopy of deceased donor kidneys

INTRODUCTION

When encountered, the ideal management of lithiasis in deceased donor kidneys is not well-defined. With advances in endourological techniques, minimally invasive treatments are becoming an increasingly viable option. We set out to describe our experience performing ex-vivo ureteroscopy on cadaveric donor kidneys, including one in which the procedure was completed on-pump.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was undertaken to identify patients who had undergone ex-vivo ureteroscopy prior to cadaveric renal transplant. Four patients were identified, including one in which the procedure was done with the kidney remaining on-pump. The surgical technique and subsequent data were reviewed.

RESULTS

Ex-vivo ureteroscopy was successfully completed in all four instances without intraoperative complication. All kidneys were endoscopically stone-free. Creatinine nadirs ranged from 0.8-1.4. All four patients remained stone-free at a mean followup of 13 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Our series provides further evidence as to the safety and efficacy of ex-vivo ureteroscopy prior to transplantation in cadaveric renal transplants and describes a novel technique in the form of on-pump ex-vivo ureteroscopy.

KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline on the Evaluation and Care of Living Kidney Donors

The 2017 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Clinical Practice Guideline on the Evaluation and Care of Living Kidney Donors is intended to assist medical professionals who evaluate living kidney donor candidates and provide care before, during and after donation. The guideline development process followed the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach and guideline recommendations are based on systematic reviews of relevant studies that included critical appraisal of the quality of the evidence and the strength of recommendations. However, many recommendations, for which there was no evidence or no systematic search for evidence was undertaken by the Evidence Review Team, were issued as ungraded expert opinion recommendations. The guideline work group concluded that a comprehensive approach to risk assessment should replace decisions based on assessments of single risk factors in isolation. Original data analyses were undertaken to produce a "proof-in-concept" risk-prediction model for kidney failure to support a framework for quantitative risk assessment in the donor candidate evaluation and defensible shared decision making. This framework is grounded in the simultaneous consideration of each candidate's profile of demographic and health characteristics. The processes and framework for the donor candidate evaluation are presented, along with recommendations for optimal care before, during, and after donation. Limitations of the evidence are discussed, especially regarding the lack of definitive prospective studies and clinical outcome trials. Suggestions for future research, including the need for continued refinement of long-term risk prediction and novel approaches to estimating donation-attributable risks, are also provided.In citing this document, the following format should be used: Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Living Kidney Donor Work Group. KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline on the Evaluation and Care of Living Kidney Donors. Transplantation. 2017;101(Suppl 8S):S1-S109.

Risk of End-Stage Renal Disease in HIV-Positive Potential Live Kidney Donors

New federal regulations allow HIV-positive individuals to be live kidney donors; however, potential candidacy for donation is poorly understood given the increased risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) associated with HIV infection. To better understand this risk, we compared the incidence of ESRD among 41 968 HIV-positive participants of North America AIDS Cohort Collaboration on Research and Design followed for a median of 5 years with the incidence of ESRD among comparable HIV-negative participants of National Health and Nutrition Examination III followed for a median of 14 years. We used risk associations from multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to derive cumulative incidence estimates for selected HIV-positive scenarios (no history of diabetes, hypertension, AIDS, or hepatitis C virus coinfection) and compared these estimates with those from similarly selected HIV-negative scenarios. For 40-year-old HIV-positive individuals with health characteristics that were similar to those of age-matched kidney donors, viral load <400 copies/mL, and CD4⁺ count ≥500 cells/μL, the 9-year cumulative incidence of ESRD was higher than that of their HIV-negative peers, yet still low: 2.5 versus 1.1 per 10 000 among white women, 3.0 versus 1.3 per 10 000 among white men, 13.2 versus 3.6 per 10 000 among black women, and 15.8 versus 4.4 per 10 000 among black men. HIV-positive individuals with no comorbidities and well-controlled disease may be considered low-risk kidney donor candidates.

Patterns of End-Stage Renal Disease Caused by Diabetes, Hypertension, and Glomerulonephritis in Live Kidney Donors

Inferences about late risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in live kidney donors have been extrapolated from studies averaging <10 years of follow-up. Because early (<10 years) and late (≥10 years) postdonation ESRD may differ by causal mechanism, it is possible that extrapolations are misleading. To better understand postdonation ESRD, we studied patterns of common etiologies including diabetes, hypertension and glomerulonephritis (GN; as reported by providers) using donor registry data linked to ESRD registry data. Overall, 125 427 donors were observed for a median of 11.0 years (interquartile range 5.3-15.7 years; maximum 25 years). The cumulative incidence of ESRD increased from 10 events per 10 000 at 10 years after donation to 85 events per 10 000 at 25 years after donation (late vs. early ESRD, adjusted for age, race and sex: incidence rate ratio [IRR] _1.3 1.7_2.3 [subscripts are 95% confidence intervals]). Early postdonation ESRD was predominantly reported as GN-ESRD; however, late postdonation ESRD was more frequently reported as diabetic ESRD and hypertensive ESRD (IRR _2.3 7.7_25.2 and _1.4 2.6_4.6 , respectively). These time-dependent patterns were not seen with GN-ESRD (IRR _0.4 0.7_1.2 ). Because ESRD in live kidney donors has traditionally been reported in studies averaging <10 years of follow-up, our findings suggest caution in extrapolating such results over much longer intervals.

Recipient Outcomes Following Transplantation of Allografts From Live Kidney Donors Who Subsequently Developed End-Stage Renal Disease

Live kidney donors have an increased risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) compared with nondonors; however, it is unknown whether undetected, subclinical kidney disease exists at donation that subsequently contributes to this risk. To indirectly test this hypothesis, the authors followed the donated kidneys, by comparing the outcomes of 257 recipients whose donors subsequently developed ESRD with a matched cohort whose donors remained ESRD free. The compared recipients were matched on donor (age, sex, race/ethnicity, donor-recipient relationship), transplant (HLA mismatch, peak panel-reactive antibody, previous transplantation, year of transplantation), and recipient (age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, cause of ESRD, and time on dialysis) risk factors. Median recipient follow-up was 12.5 years (interquartile range 7.4-17.9, maximum 20 years). Recipients of allografts from donors who developed ESRD had increased death-censored graft loss (74% versus 56% at 20 years; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-2.0; p < 0.001) and mortality (61% versus 46% at 20 years; aHR 1.5; 95% CI 1.2-1.8; p < 0.001) compared with matched recipients of allografts from donors who did not develop ESRD. This association was similar among related, spousal, and unrelated nonspousal donors. These findings support a novel view of the mechanisms underlying donor ESRD: that of pre-donation kidney disease. However, biopsy data may be required to confirm this hypothesis.

Approaching a Consensus: Psychosocial Support Services for Solid Organ Transplantation Programs

Background—

Solid organ transplantation has become an accepted treatment for individuals with end-stage organ dysfunction. Criteria are being developed in the United States to determine medical eligibility for transplant candidates and competencies for transplant centers and physicians. To date, similar criteria for psychosocial services have not been developed.

Design and Setting—

We queried participants in a specialty psychosocial transplant meeting to determine their views of which psychosocial services are essential to the comprehensive care of transplant patients in the United States.

Results—

There was broad based multidisciplinary support for proactive pretransplant screening to discern individual psychosocial needs; focused pretransplant interventions to improve candidacy and future compliance; and posttransplant programs that address psychosocial, rehabilitation, and financial issues.

Conclusion—

Among psychosocial providers of solid organ transplantation services, there is support for expanding routine screening and support services to individuals who are candidates for and undergo solid organ transplantation.

Separate, Dedicated Care Teams for Living Organ Donors

Living donation is an increasingly common option offered to patients in most transplant programs. Staff involved in the education, assessment, and care of this patient group is faced with increasingly complicated assessments both medically and psychologically. Supporting arguments for dedicated care teams for living organ donors include the large number of transplantations performed using living donors, the continued need to promote living organ donation, and the growing complexity of both medical and psychological factors in donor assessments. In addition, there is a need to implement the standards proposed by the 2000 Consensus Group, as well as to develop a body of evidence-based research related both to short- and long-term issues for this patient group. The ethical issues related to simultaneous involvement with both donors and recipients, and a need to ensure confidentiality are additional supporting arguments for the need to provide separate care providers for donors and recipients.

Donor-Derived Infections: Incidence, Prevention, and Management

Organ donors reflect the diverse US population, and there are an increasing number of donors born in, who have resided in, or who have traveled to underdeveloped areas of the world or areas with geographically restricted infections. As such, these donors are exposed to pathogens that can potentially be transmitted to recipients of the donor’s organs. Additionally, there are newer techniques to identify many pathogens that may be transmitted from the donor to the transplant recipients. Finally, high-profile reports of several donor-derived infections have heightened awareness of donor-derived infections and have likely contributed to increased recognition. In this chapter, the incidence, methods of identification and prevention, and management of unexpected donor-derived infections will be reviewed.

Outcomes of living kidney donors with medullary sponge kidney

BACKGROUND

Patients with medullary sponge kidney (MSK) commonly encounter recurrent nephrolithiasis. The existing knowledge on safety of donors with MSK has not been studied.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary referral hospital to assess the outcomes of living kidney donors with MSK. All adults with MSK (N = 26) who underwent nephrectomy as living kidney donors between January 2000 and September 2014 were included. Non-donors with MSK (N = 78) were randomly selected by matching the year of birth and the comorbidity score with a ratio of 1:3 for comparison.

RESULTS

The incident rates of symptomatic stone were 0.7, 0.4 and 4.9 events/100 patient-years in donors, recipients and non-donors, respectively. After adjusting for history of kidney stones and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), the kidney stone-related event was significantly lower in donors than in non-donors (hazard ratio 0.14; 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.66). One recipient of MSK living donor had symptomatic stone at median follow-up time of 8.4 years (interquartile range 5.6-12.4 years). None of MSK donors had hypercalciuria, hypocitraturia or hyperoxaluria prior to kidney donation. At 5 years after the index surgery date, there was no significant difference in eGFR between donors and non-donors (76.1 versus 70.9 mL/min/1.73 m², P = 0.12).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings are reassuring for the safety of MSK kidney donors with normal kidney function, low kidney stone risk and no significant comorbidity.

[Living kidney donation - an overview]

BACKGROUND

The living kidney donation has become increasingly important in recent years. Because of the decreasing number of postmortem donors, there has been a dramatic increase in morbidity and mortality due to the long waiting times for patients on dialysis. By timely living donation after dialysis entry or even preemptively, this can be avoided.

AIM

In addition, the living donor has better graft function and better graft survival which is due to the predictability of the donation, the optimal conditioning of donor and recipient, and the short ischemia time. To protect the donor, to provide legal protection, and to avoid abuse, the German legislature reacted with the Transplantation Act and its amendment. The recent recommendations for donor evaluation from the Amsterdam Forum have been used by the Federal Medical Council to revise current guidelines and guidelines for living donation will be drawn up.

CONCLUSION

The focus of these efforts is standardization of the procedure and protection of the kidney donor. This is also reflected in the recommendations for organ removal technique and the selection of the organ to be used for kidney donation.

Glomerular filtration rates in healthy Asians without kidney disease

AIM

The Chronic Kidney Disease Collaboration - Epidemiology (CKD-EPI) glomerular filtration rates (GFR) estimation equation is believed to estimate GFR more accurately in healthy people but this has not been validated in Asians. We studied the distribution of GFR in a multi-ethnic Asian population without CKD, and compared the performance of measures of GFR estimation, including the CKD-EPI equation, Cockroft-Gault equation, and 24-hour urine creatinine clearances.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 103 healthy volunteers without a history of kidney disease, hypertension, or diabetes underwent GFR measurement using 3-sample plasma clearance of (99m) Tc-DTPA. Cockroft-Gault estimated GFR and 24-hour urine creatinine clearances were normalized to body surface area.

RESULTS

The mean measured GFR was 101 ± 15.8 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) and was lowest in Indians (93 ± 12.3 mL/min per 1.73 m(2); P < 0.001). The CKD-EPI equation appears to be more accurate for healthy participants. Estimated GFR correlated with measured GFR (r = 0.57, P < 0.001), and the mean difference is 3.72 ± 14.43 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) (P < 0.001). However, estimating GFR using self-directed 24-hour urine creatinine clearances is poorer than using the CKD-EPI equation.

CONCLUSIONS

GFR estimation using self-directed 24-hour urine collection for creatinine clearance is less accurate than using the CKD-EPI equation. A larger study is required to clarify GFR in healthy Asians, and the association of health outcomes of Asian kidney donors with lower GFR thresholds.

Fax Extension of the Right Renal Vein With a Remodeled Receptor Saphenous Vein in a Living-Donor Kidney Transplant: A Case Report

The right kidney may be chosen for donor safety as the donor kidney in a living renal transplant. However, the short length of the right renal vein may increase technical difficulties and affect the implanted graft. We report a method that uses the remodeled receptor saphenous vein to reconstruct and extend the transplanted renal vein.

Health care follow-up by live kidney donors more than three yr post-nephrectomy

BACKGROUND

Live kidney donors are advised to follow up regularly with healthcare providers to monitor kidney function and to diagnose and treat relevant comorbidities. We sought to determine the frequency and correlates of follow-up care among live kidney donors.

METHODS

We sent a mailed questionnaire to 606 live kidney donors from a single center who were at least three yr post-nephrectomy.

RESULTS

We received usable responses from 276 (45.5%), at a median of 6.2 yr post-donation. Compared with non-responders, responding donors were more likely to be older (p < 0.001), female (p = 0.002), white (p < 0.001), and married to the recipient (p < 0.001). In the prior year, 87.7% of respondents reported seeing a physician or other healthcare professional, and 79.0% had seen a "general doctor" such as their primary care provider. In univariable analyses of live kidney donors who responded to our survey, lack of medical follow-up in the past year was associated with younger age, current lack of health insurance, and infrequent contact with the transplant recipient.

CONCLUSIONS

Most responding live kidney donors had seen a healthcare provider within the past year. To improve donors' follow-up, transplant centers can consider targeting donors who are younger or lack health insurance.

The Iranian model of living renal transplantation

Organ shortage for transplantation remains a worldwide serious problem for kidney patients with end-stage renal failure, and several countries have tried different models to address this issue. Iran has 20 years of experience with one such model that involves the active role of the government and charity foundations. Patients with a desperate demand for a kidney have given rise to a black market of brokers and other forms of organ commercialism only accessible to those with sufficient financial resources. The current Iranian model has enabled most of the Iranian kidney transplant candidates, irrespective of socioeconomic class, to have access to kidney transplantation. The Iranian government has committed a large budget through funding hospital and staff at the Ministry of Health and Medical Education by supporting the brain death donation (BDD) program or redirecting part of the budget of living unrelated renal donation (LURD) to the BDD program. It has been shown that it did not prevent the development and progression of a BDD program. However, the LURD program is characterized by several controversial procedures (e.g., confrontation of donor and recipient at the end of the evaluation procedure along with some financial interactions) that should be ethically reviewed. Operational weaknesses such as the lack of a registration system and long-term follow-up of the donors are identified as the 'Achilles heel of the model'.

Successful transplant of a kidney with fibromuscular dysplasia having higher glomerular filtration rate than the contralateral kidney

Fibromuscular dysplasia is the second-most commonly encountered anatomic abnormality in potential renal donors. Normotensive patients with medial fibroplasia and low-grade lesions have been used as renal donors. However, no studies have reported the optimal choice of a kidney for donation where the kidney with fibromuscular dysplasia had a larger volume and a higher glomerular filtration rate than the unaffected side. Herein, we report a case of renal transplant using a kidney with fibromuscular dysplasia that had higher glomerular filtration rate than the normal side. After transplant, hypertension and abnormal serum creatinine did not occur in either the donor or the recipient during 12 months' follow-up.

Approach to the pretransplant evaluation of the living kidney donor

Evaluation of the potential kidney donor is a complex activity that differs substantially from other types of preoperative assessments. The well being of the donor, who derives no medical benefit from this surgery, must be assured in both the short term and long term, and the potential adverse consequences to the recipient must be determined as well. The criteria that must be met for a person to donate a kidney are rigorous and include medical, social, psychosocial, ethical, and legal issues. Donor evaluation can be divided into assessments to protect the health and safety of the donor and assessments to protect the health and safety of the recipient. This article provides an approach to evaluating a donor, focusing on the complex issues that an evaluator is faced with. A careful assessment of risks and benefits to both the donor and recipient can lead to favorable outcomes.

Screening and follow-up of living kidney donors: a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines

To minimize the health risks faced by living kidney donors, multiple clinical practice guidelines have been developed on the assessment and care of potential donors. This study aims to compare the quality, scope, and consistency of these guidelines. We searched for guidelines on living kidney donation in electronic databases, guideline registries, and relevant Web sites to February 21, 2011. Methodological quality was assessed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Education (AGREE) instrument. Textual synthesis was used to compare guideline recommendations. Ten guidelines, published from 1996 to 2010, were identified. Although generally comprehensive, scope varied considerably and mostly appeared to lack methodological rigor. Many recommendations were consistent, but important differences were evident, particularly for thresholds for comorbidities which precluded donation; obesity/overweight (body mass index, 30-35 kg/m), diabetes/prediabetes (fasting blood glucose level, 6.1-7.0 mmol/L and oral glucose tolerance test, 7.8-11.1 mmol/L), hypertension (130/85 to 140/90 mm Hg), cardiovascular disease, malignancy, and nephrolithiasis. The importance of informed voluntary consent, genuine motivation, support, and psychological health were recognized but difficult to implement as specific tools for conducting psychosocial assessments were not recommended. Multiple major guidelines for living kidney donation have been published recently, resulting in unnecessary duplicative efforts. Most do not meet standard processes for development, and important recommendations about thresholds for exclusion based on comorbidities are contradictory. There is an urgent need for international collaboration and coordination to ensure, where possible, that guidelines for living donation are consistent, evidence based, and comprehensive to promote best outcomes for a precious resource.

Incidental kidney stones: a single center experience with kidney donor selection

The presence of kidney stones has been a relative contraindication for living donation. With the widespread use of more sensitive imaging techniques as part of the routine living donor workup, kidney stones are more frequently detected, and their clinical significance in this setting is largely unknown. Records from 325 potential kidney donors who underwent MRA or CT-angiography were reviewed; 294 proceeded to donation. The prevalence of kidney stones found incidentally during donor evaluation was 7.4% (24 of 325). Sixteen donors with stones proceeded with kidney donation. All incidental calculi were nonobstructing and small (median 2 mm; range 1-9 mm). Eleven recipients were transplanted with allografts containing stones. One recipient developed symptomatic nephrolithasis after transplantation. This recipient was found to have newly formed stones secondary to hyperoxaluria, suggesting a recipient-driven propensity for stone formation. The remaining ten recipients have stable graft function, postoperative ultrasound negative for nephrolithiasis, and no sequelae from stones. No donor developed symptomatic nephrolithiasis following donation. Judicious use of allografts with small stones in donors with normal metabolic studies may be acceptable, and careful follow-up in recipients of such allografts is warranted.

Female with Fabry Disease Unknowingly Donates Affected Kidney to Sister: A Call for Pre-transplant Genetic Testing

Fabry disease, an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder, is caused by the deficiency of the alpha-galactosidase A enzyme and the progressive accumulation of globotriaosylceramide in vascular endothelial cells. The multi-systemic manifestations of Fabry disease include cardiac, gastrointestinal, renal, and neuropathic complications. Renal dysfunction and ultimately end-stage renal disease occurs in classically affected males and in about 10-15% of female heterozygotes from classically affected families as a result of progressive glycosphingolipid accumulation. We report a case in which a female with a de novo GLA mutation donated a kidney to her sister prior to the diagnosis of symptomatic Fabry disease. The transplant recipient has progressed to graft failure and has been relisted for transplant. This case report demonstrates the need to screen potential kidney transplant donors and recipients for Fabry disease.

Renal transplant lithiasis: analysis of our series and review of the literature

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Renal transplant lithiasis represents a rather uncommon complication. Even rare, it can result in significant morbidity and a devastating loss of renal function if obstruction occurs. We present our experience with graft lithiasis in our series of renal transplantations and review the literature regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and current therapeutic strategies in the management of renal transplant lithiasis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of 1525 renal transplantations that were performed between January 1983 and March 2007, 7 patients were found to have allograft lithiasis. In five cases, the calculi were localized in the renal unit, and in two cases, in the ureter. A review in the English language was also performed of the Medline and PubMed databases using the keywords renal transplant lithiasis, donor-gifted lithiasis, and urological complications after kidney transplantation. Several retrospective studies regarding the incidence, etiology, as well as predisposing factors for graft lithiasis were reviewed. Data regarding the current therapeutic strategies for graft lithiasis were also evaluated, and outcomes were compared with the results of our series.

RESULTS

Most studies report a renal transplant lithiasis incidence of 0.4% to 1%. In our series, incidence of graft lithiasis was 0.46% (n=7). Of the seven patients, three were treated via percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL); in three patients, shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) was performed; and in a single case, spontaneous passage of a urinary calculus was observed. All patients are currently stone free but still remain under close urologic surveillance.

CONCLUSION

Renal transplant lithiasis requires vigilance, a high index of suspicion, prompt recognition, and management. Treatment protocols should mimic those for solitary kidneys. Minimally invasive techniques are available to remove graft calculi. Long-term follow-up is essential to determine the outcome, as well as to prevent recurrence.

Creatinine-based equations predicting chronic kidney disease after kidney donation

BACKGROUND

Kidney donation is associated with few adverse outcomes in living donors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of living kidney donors and the utility of creatinine-based equations to predict chronic kidney disease.

METHODS

The study population was selected among 154 living kidney donors from 2001 to 2009. Seventy-eight patients underwent medical consultation to review demographic data and perform laboratory evaluations. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) values were obtained by three equations: Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), Cockcroft-Gault (C-G) and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the area under the curve of each equation to predict evolution to chronic kidney disease.

RESULTS

The overall median age was 39 years including 64% of women subjects. The mean follow-up after kidney donation was 65 ± 34 months. During follow-up, 20.5% of patients developed hypertension. Serum creatinine values above 1.5 mg/dL were detected in 14.1% of cases. Dyslipidemia was present in 33.3% of donors at the last follow-up. According to measured creatinine clearance and the C-G equation, only four and six donors had renal failure (defined as GFR < 60 mL/min), a number that increased to 23 (29.4%) when considering the MDRD or CKD-EPI equations (P < .05). ROC curves performed to explore the GFR measurements to predict renal failure occurrence after donation showed the CKD-EPI to be the only one with a significant area under the curve (0.7442, P = .003).

CONCLUSION

Living kidney donors should receive careful long-term follow-up. Assessment of renal function before donation using CKD-EPI creatinine-based equations must be performed preferentially. A careful approach should be adopted for the detection and treatment of other complications such as hypertension and dyslipidemia.

Endorsement of the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines on kidney transplantation: a European Renal Best Practice (ERBP) position statement

KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) is an international independent body aiming to 'improve the care and outcomes of kidney disease patients worldwide, through the development and implementation of clinical practice guidelines'. Recently, the KDIGO work group has produced comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for the care of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). The guideline makes recommendations for immunosuppression, graft monitoring, as well as prevention and treatment of infection, cardiovascular disease, malignancy and other complications that are common in KTRs, including haematological and bone disorders. Because most guidelines were 'soft' rather than 'strong', and because global guidelines need to be adapted and implemented into the regional context where they are used, the European Renal Best Practice (ERBP) Advisory Board appointed a work group of transplant nephrologists and surgeons to review the newest KDIGO guideline and comment on its relevance and applicability for European KTRs. In this article, we concentrate only on those guidelines which we considered worth amending or adapting. All guidelines not mentioned are fully endorsed.