The influence of presensitization on graft survival rate

Graft survival rate was evaluated in 61 recipients with greater than 50 percent frequency of performed antibodies to selected panel cells. This includes recipients of primary cadaver grafts, secondary cadaver grafts, and living related grafts. Graft survival rate also was evaluated in 199 recipients with pretransplant antibodies reacting with 10 to 50 percent of panel cells and in nonsensitized patients. The results show that good graft survival can be obtained in many hyperimmunized patients, particularly in recipients of primary renal allografts (66 percent cadaver graft survival rate at 2 years). However, sensitization following rejection of an allograft appears to confer a less favorable prognosis. The nature of recipient presensitization and the precise specificity of each reactivity cannot always be explained. This is exemplified in three patients in whom broadly reactive lymphocytotoxic antibodies were not directed against HL-A antigens. Since the number of sensitized patients who await renal transplantation is increasing, there should be no hesitation in proceeding with transplantation, particularly with primary grafts. Emphasis, however, must be placed on frequent prospective recipient serum sampling so that transient high levels of cytotoxins do not escape detection and therefore can be easily selected out for cross-matching against potential donors.