Pre-transplant morphometry by computed tomography scan and post-transplant dialysis risk in overweight or obese kidney transplant recipients

Metabolic and Bariatric Operation and the Path to Kidney Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a significant barrier to kidney transplantation for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) on kidney transplantation access and outcomes in individuals with obesity and patients with ESRD.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study using data from 64 US healthcare organizations included 132,989 individuals with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) and ESRD requiring dialysis, of whom 6,263 (4.6%) underwent MBS. Propensity score matching produced 1:1 matched groups of 6,238 patients each, analyzed for 10 years. Primary outcomes included rates of kidney transplant waitlist placement, transplantation, and overall mortality. Secondary outcomes focused on 22,979 transplant recipients, including 1,701 (7.4%) patients who underwent MBS, to evaluate posttransplant adverse events.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 33.3 months (MBS) and 28.5 months (controls), patients who underwent MBS demonstrated higher rates of waitlist placement (19.12% vs 10.53%, hazard ratio [HR] 1.800, 95% CI 1.636 to 1.980, p < 0.001) and transplantation (27.06% vs 16.09%, HR 1.712, 95% CI 1.584 to 1.852, p < 0.001) at 10 years, with benefits evident within 1-month postoperation. Mortality was lower in the MBS group (30.55% vs 36.44%, HR 0.768, 95% CI 0.723 to 0.817, p < 0.001). In transplant recipients, patients who underwent MBS had lower cardiovascular complications (37.3% vs 40.6%, risk ratio 0.92, p = 0.007) and all-cause mortality (16.70% vs 20.88%, HR 0.82, p < 0.001), with no significant differences in graft rejection or failure.

CONCLUSIONS

MBS significantly improves access to kidney transplantation and long-term survival for obese patients with ESRD. Patients who underwent MBS demonstrated notable improvements in cardiovascular health, potentially leading to a better quality of life and survival. These findings suggest that MBS should be considered as part of the comprehensive care for this high-risk population.

Kidney Transplantation in Patients After Bariatric Surgery: High-Volume Bariatric and Transplant Center Experience

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplantation (KTx) is the best type of treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Unfortunately, obesity may be a contraindication for transplantation. Our study aimed to evaluate the results of KTx in patients who had bariatric surgery (BS) prior to transplantation.

METHODS

A single center, with experience in bariatric and transplant surgery, presents a retrospective study of 13 patients who received a kidney transplant after a gastric bypass (GB) operation between 2012 and 2019.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients, who were potential candidates for KTx, were previously qualified for BS because of a body mass index (BMI) > 35 kg/m². Additionally, all patients had arterial hypertension, 60% of patients had diabetes, and 30% of patients had coronary artery disease. Patients were activated on the waiting list when their BMI was < 35 kg/m². KTx was performed between 5 and 29 months after BS. One patient needed reoperation due to a urinary leak and another patient needed reoperation because of a high-pressure lymphocele. We diagnosed 2 delayed graft functions (DGFs) and 1 acute rejection. One patient died for reasons independent of surgery. The KTx observation period ranged from 3 to 8 years. Currently, 11 patients has stable renal function: creatinine concentration is 0.8-1.8 mg/dL and BMI is between 23 and 35 kg/m².

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the small group of patients, we can assume that kidney transplantation can be safely performed in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who have previously undergone gastric bypass (GB) as a graft bridging procedure. In some cases, BS may be the only chance of getting an organ.