Impact of distance between donor and recipient hospitals on cadaveric kidney transplantation outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The impact of distance between donor and recipient hospitals on outcomes in cadaveric kidney transplantations is unknown. We investigated the association between inter-hospital distance and outcomes in cadaveric kidney transplantations in Japan. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 363 cadaveric kidney transplantations between 2002 and 2017 in Japan. Inter-hospital distance, graft transport time, total ischemic time (TIT), and graft survival were compared between our hospital and national transplantation cohort in Japan. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 1 month and 1 year after transplantation was compared between cadaveric and living-donor kidney transplantations in our hospitals. Additionally, inter-hospital distances among the seven geographical regions in Japan were assessed. RESULTS: There were 12 and 351 cadaveric kidney transplantations at our hospital and in Japan, respectively. Mean inter-hospital distance at our hospital (217 ± 121 km) was significantly longer than that of the national cohort (53 ± 80 km; P < 0.001). Mean TIT and graft survival for our hospital and national cohort were 539 ± 200 min and 91% and 491 ± 193 min and 81%, respectively. Mean eGFRs 1 year after cadaveric and living-donor transplantations at our hospitals were comparable (47 ± 16 vs. 47 ± 15 mL/min/1.73 m2). The comparison among seven regions in Japan indicated a regional difference in inter-hospital distance with an association between area (km2) and inter-hospital distance (km). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the longer inter-hospital distance at our hospital, TIT and transplant outcomes were acceptable in our cases. In addition, geographical inequity in graft allocation in Japan was suggested.

Subclinical antibody-mediated rejection due to anti-human-leukocyte-antigen-DR53 antibody accompanied by plasma cell-rich acute rejection in a patient with cadaveric kidney transplantation.

A 56-year-old man who had undergone cadaveric kidney transplantation 21 months earlier was admitted to our hospital for a protocol biopsy; he had a serum creatinine level of 1.2 mg/dL and no proteinuria. Histological features showed two distinct entities: (i) inflammatory cell infiltration, in the glomerular and peritubular capillaries and (ii) focal, aggressive tubulointerstitial inflammatory cell infiltration, predominantly plasma cells, with mild tubulitis (Banff 13 classification: i2, t1, g2, ptc2, v0, ci1, ct1, cg0, cv0). Immunohistological studies showed mildly positive C4d immunoreactivity in the peritubular capillaries. The patient had donor specific antibody to human-leucocyte-antigen-DR53. We diagnosed him with subclinical antibody-mediated rejection accompanied by plasma cell-rich acute rejection. Both antibody-mediated rejection due to anti- human-leucocyte-antigen -DR53 antibodies and plasma cell-rich acute rejection are known to be refractory and have a poor prognosis. Thus, we started plasma exchange with intravenous immunoglobulin and rituximab for the former and 3 days of consecutive steroid pulse therapy for the latter. Three months after treatment, a follow-up allograft biopsy showed excellent responses to treatment for both histological features. This case report considers the importance of an early diagnosis and appropriate intervention for subclinical antibody-mediated rejection due to donor specific antibody to human-leucocyte-antigen-DR53 and plasma cell-rich acute rejection.

Clinical Experiences of 52 Cases Cadaveric Donor Kidney Transplantation / 대한이식학회지

PURPOSE: The organ procurement organization (OPO) and transplant coordinator were established in Chonnam National University Hospital in 1993 to promote organ donation and to manage organ procurement. At the same time, the first protocol and planning transplant was performed simultaneously. We performed this study to know the predicting factors and survival rate of cadaveric kidney transplantation. METHODS: First cadaveric donor kidney transplantation was performed at May 1993 in Chonnam National University Hospital. Thereafter 52 cases of cadaveric kidney transplantation were performed using 28 cadaver donors till December 1999. The most frequent cause of brain death was head injury by traffic accident. Male to female donor ratio was 1.8 : 1. 52 recipients (29 males, 23 females), aged 20 to 65 years (median age 36 years) were the subjects of this study. The immunosuppressive regimens consisted of cyclosporin, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone. Acute rejection was treated with three consecutive bolus of 1.0 gram methylprednisolone or 5 mg/day for 10 days of OKT3. Three HLA mismatchs were 7 cases (13.5%) and six mismatches were 6 cases (11.5%). There were 2 cases of multiple renal arteries. RESULTS: There was no primary non functioning graft. In the first 7 post operative days, urine amount less than 4,000 mL per day was noted in 29 patients (55.8%) and serum creatinine over 1.5mg/dL was noted in 13 patients (25%). No significant proteinuria and hematuria was observed. Postoperative medical complications were occured in 12 patients (23.1%) and minor surgical complications in 3 patients (5.8 %). One patient was performed reoperation because of urinary leakage. CMV infections were noted in 15 patients (28.8%). Acute rejection episodes were 17 cases (32.7%). We lost 4 grafts within 1 year. The major cause of graft loss was patient death. Recipient age was significant risk variable for graft and patient survival in multivariate analysis (P=0.012). one and five year graft survival rates were 92.15%. CONCLUSION: To achive better results, continued attention should be paid to the cadaveric donor organ procurement.

The Analysis of Risk Factors of Donor Affecting the Graft Survival in Cadaveric Kidney Transplantation

PURPOSE: The supply of donor organs does not meet the demand of transplantation. To find a possible way of expanding the donor pool, we have evaluated the risk factors of cadaveric donors that influence the graft survival. METHODS: Between Feb. 1995 and Dec. 1999, we performed 200 cases of cadaveric kidney transplantation. The graft survival rates in 1 yr, 2 yr, & 3 yr are 93.0%, 91.1%, & 89.9%, respectively. We defined the marginal donor as a donor who possesses one of the risk factors of donor age > or = 50, or or =10 days (n=46), history of hypertension (n=30), CPR > or =20 min (n=7), prolonged hypotension (SBP or =20microgram/kg/min, or dobutamine > or =15microgram/kg/min) (n=78), serum creatinine level > or =2.5 mg/dl (n=16), or cold ischemic time > or =12 hr (n=34). We compared graft survival rates between the marginal donor group and the non-marginal donor group, and analyzed risk factors affecting graft survival by univariate and multivariate methods. RESULTS: CPR > or =20 min (71.5%, 71.5%, - vs 93.8%, 91.8%, 90.6%, p=0.027), prolonged hypotension (85.0%, 85.0%, 80.3% vs 95.0%, 92.6%, 92.6%, p=0.028) and serum creatinine > or =2.5 mg/dl (75.0%, 75.0%, 75.0% vs 94.6%, 92.4%, 91.0%, p=0.001) affect graft survival in univariate analysis. There is, However, no risk factor that affects graft survival in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: We can increase the supply of donor organs for kidney transplantation by the selective use of high-risk cadaver donor. However, a prospective randomized study including recipient factors is needed to define the acceptable conditions better.