Factors Associated With Delayed Graft Function and Their Influence on Outcomes of Kidney Transplantation

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Transplantation Immunology
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Delayed graft function (DGF) is a significant postoperative complication following kidney transplantation.
• High incidence of DGF necessitates identifying associated risk factors and their impact on transplant outcomes.
• Understanding DGF is crucial for improving patient and graft survival rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate factors associated with DGF in kidney transplant recipients.
• To assess the influence of DGF on post-transplantation outcomes.
• To identify key determinants of DGF for potential intervention.

Main Methods:

• A historical cohort study of 150 kidney transplant patients (2011-2013).
• Analysis of recipient and donor characteristics, including pre-transplant factors and organ preservation.
• Evaluation of post-transplant outcomes, including graft function, patient stay, and survival.

Main Results:

• DGF associated with recipient dialysis time, pre-transplant transfusions, donor age, creatinine, vasoactive drug use, retrieval-center distance, and cold ischemia time.
• DGF correlated with longer intensive care and hospital stays, increased acute rejection episodes, and higher discharge creatinine.
• Patients and graft survival were reduced in the DGF group.

Conclusions:

• Donor-related factors and organ storage significantly influence DGF.
• Recipient dialysis vintage is a key factor, while HLA-compatibility was not found to be correlated.
• DGF has substantial negative consequences on graft function, survival, and recipient morbidity/mortality.