Latent abnormal pathology affects long-term graft function in elder living renal allograft recipients

This study evaluated the long-term effects and clinical significance of latent abnormal pathology on elder living donor kidney graft function after renal transplantation in China.

One-hundred and thirty-eight living donor renal transplantations have been carried out at our hospital in recent years. Of these, 72 Time-Zero biopsies were performed and used in this analysis. Clinical data were retrospectively measured at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after renal transplants. Relationships and effects from biopsy results taken from implanted donor kidney grafts were analyzed.

Time-Zero biopsy pathology results from donor kidneys showed that 48.61% of donor kidneys had latent abnormal changes; arterial lesions of donor kidneys had significant effects on the renal function of grafts after 2 years' transplantation; correlations between donor age and arterial lesions were significant; and Time-Zero biopsy pathology results could help predict the long-term function of a renal graft.

Existing latent pathological changes of an elder living donor kidney before transplantation could affect long-term renal function. Whether a senior donor is used should be very carefully considered.