KPDGUI: An interactive application for optimization and management of a virtual kidney paired donation program

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Transplantation Surgery
• Computer Science

Background:

• Kidney paired donation (KPD) facilitates transplants between incompatible donor-candidate pairs and altruistic donors.
• Optimizing KPD requires complex algorithms due to numerous potential exchanges.
• Existing software often lacks advanced criteria for managing KPD programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce KPDGUI, a novel software application for KPD program management and optimization.
• To implement advanced optimization criteria that address transplant viability uncertainty and fallback options.
• To provide clinicians and researchers with decision support for KPD transplant selection.

Main Methods:

• Development of KPDGUI software with a graphical user interface.
• Implementation of novel optimization algorithms accounting for transplant uncertainty.
• Inclusion of fallback mechanisms for non-proceeding exchanges.
• Visualization of alternative optimization solutions.

Main Results:

• A case study using real-world paired donation data demonstrated the advantages of the new optimization criteria.
• Comparison of solutions under different optimization schemes highlighted the benefits of accounting for uncertainty and fallback options.
• KPDGUI effectively illustrated potential KPD transplant options.

Conclusions:

• KPDGUI is a flexible and powerful tool for KPD program decision support.
• The software aids clinicians and researchers in selecting optimal KPD transplant options.
• User-specified optimization schemes can be applied to maximize transplant success.