[Kidney transplant failure and retransplantation.]

Transplant failure is a more and more frequent cause of end stage renal failure and dialysis. Patient survival rate after graft failure is very varied according to different reports. Better survival is mainly a consequence of good continuum of care thanks to improved interaction between dialysis and transplant center. Diabetic and elderly patients, as well as patients affected by cardiovascular disease are the subjects at higher risk: if judged clinically adequate to enter the waiting list, they should be retransplanted as soon as possible. Dialysis survival of patients with failed kidney transplant is strictly linked to adequate dialysis dose. Second transplant survival rate is higher in the case of a living donor and if the first transplant survived longer. Good immunologic match is also a condition linked to higher graft and patient survival rate. High body mass index, smoking and severe cardiovascular comorbidity should be avoided. Whether to keep low immunosuppression levels after first graft failure and whether to excise the failed kidney, even though it shows no clinical problems, are issues still under debate. Low-dose immunosuppression is not recommended since it may result in higher rate of infectious and neoplastic diseases. The failed kidney should be removed not only in the case of clinical disease, but also when the retained failed kidney is associated with chronic inflammation, as shown by high C-reactive protein levels and erythropoietin resistance.

Immunosuppression in renal transplantation: viral diseases and chronic allograft nephropathy

Chronic allograft dysfunction after renal transplantation can be ascribed to different causes, among which are viral infections. The aim of this work was to show the various ways by which different kinds of viruses affect transplant structure and function. Polyoma virus is an example of viruses directly affecting the kidney because of a specific tropism to the uroepitelial cells. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been chosen both because of the frequency of this infection and because CMV (as other viruses) can produce transplant vascular sclerosis. Finally, we describe hepatitis C virus (HCV) because of its capacity to induce renal lesions independently from chronic allograft nephropathy. Indeed HCV is likely to determine immunologically mediated nephritis in the transplanted kidney as well in the native one.

Donor characteristics can influence transplant activities and the access to transplant for some age groups

In recent years Italy has experienced a remarkable increase in organ donation and transplant rates for kidney transplantation. The organ donation rate has placed Italy among the European leaders, but a careful comparative evaluation of Italian and international registries data demonstrates that renal transplantations have not shared the same significant growth. In a decisive way donor characteristics have influenced not only the number of renal transplantations, but also the access to transplant for some age groups. We investigated the probability of transplantation from different age groups using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. The 7-year probability of transplant was 72% for the 15 to 45 age group, 85.7% for the 46 to 55 age group, and 88.5% for the over 55 years group (P = .0029). Ethical considerations suggest new approaches of innovative promotion of living donor transplants and a revision of organ allocation criteria.

Efficacy and safety of Palmaz stent implantation in the treatment of renal artery stenosis in renal transplantation

To verify the long-term efficacy and safety of Palmaz stent implantation in the treatment of transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS), we reviewed the charts of 26 patients affected by TRAS and treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) followed by permanent insertion of a Palmaz stent. The mean follow-up period was 43.31 +/- 33.6 months. The mean blood pressure fell significantly at 1 month after stenting (118 +/- 8.1 vs 101 +/- 7.8 mmHg; P < .0001); then remained stable. Renal artery blood flow, as determined by Doppler ultrasonography, was reduced from 352.5 +/- 56.5 to 157.3 +/- 53.7 cm/sec at 1 month after stenting (P < .0001). Renal function improved after stenting (serum creatinine 2.2 +/- 1.4 mg/dL preinsertion versus 1.72 +/- 1.05 at 3 years). In conclusion, in cases of severe or recurrent TRAS, stenting of the renal artery has proved to be an effective therapeutic tool. This method, which has low procedure costs and an extremely low complication rate has proved to be safe and to offer the potential of preserving luminal patency, improving the long-term efficacy of percutaneous angioplasty.

Donor characteristics can influence overall transplant activities: the Italian experience

The notable increase in organ donations and transplants in Italy in recent years has lead to the development of an atypical approach to kidney transplantation. All propitious considerations left aside regarding the organ donation rate which has placed Italy among the European leaders, a careful comparative evaluation of the data taken from Italian and international registries demonstrates that renal transplantations in Italy have not shared the same significant growth. The typology of the donors has influenced in a decisive way not only the number of renal transplantations, but also the access to transplant for some age groups and probably even the quality and cost. The overall view which emerges is complex and somewhat contradictory, but we believe that this perspective can furnish solid arguments for choices that need not to be delayed for the living donor transplant, the divulgence of a donation culture in the population, and the criteria for the allocation of the organs.

Excellent outcome of renal transplantation using single old kidneys in old recipients

Aim of this monocentric study is to compare the outcome of 101 renal transplants performed in patients older than 55 years with single kidney retrieved from donors older than 50 years, with 263 transplants performed in patients younger than 55 years transplanted with young kidneys. Delayed graft function (DGF) had similar incidence (24 vs 23%). Acute rejections (AR) were fewer in younger recipients without statistical significance. A 6-month serum creatinine < 130 mmol/L was less frequent in older recipients (RR 1.20; p=0.004). 5-year patient survival rate was lower in older patients (80.6% vs 92.6%; p=0.009). Crude 5-year graft survival rate was lower in older recipients (68.5% vs 84.5%; p=0.004). Adjusting for death with functioning kidney 5-year graft survival was still, but not significantly, lower in older recipients (82.8% vs 90%; p=NS). This data outline that graft survival rate must be always adjusted for death with functioning grafts and that excellent outcomes with a 5-year graft survival, higher that 80% can be obtained in old patients using single cadaveric kidneys.

Younger dialytic patients are really at risk to be not transplanted. The Tuscany experience

The huge increase in organ donation (27.2 pmp in 2002), that characterized our regional transplant program was mainly due to the increase of marginal (older) donors. As allocating organs coupling donor and recipient age is mandatory, aim of this study was to verify the consequences of such retrieval policy over the renal transplant activity. According our longitudinal data younger uremic patients in Tuscany waiting list for transplantation, have the lowest chance to receive kidney transplantation, mainly with respect to older patients that are easily removed from the waiting list. This unfair condition need to be corrected either by promoting living donation, either increasing cadaveric donation from younger donors.