A ten year experience with cadaver kidney preservation using cryoprecipitated plasma

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Transplantation immunology
• Surgical innovation

Background:

• Kidney transplantation is a vital treatment for end-stage renal disease.
• Effective organ preservation is crucial for successful transplant outcomes.
• Cryoprecipitated plasma perfusion was explored as a preservation method.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of continuous perfusion with cryoprecipitated plasma for cadaveric kidney preservation.
• To assess the impact of this preservation method on graft and patient survival.
• To compare outcomes with alternative preservation techniques.

Main Methods:

• Preservation of 699 cadaver kidneys using continuous perfusion with cryoprecipitated plasma (August 1967 - January 1977).
• Analysis of primary and secondary transplant graft survival rates.
• Evaluation of patient survival and complication incidence with reduced immunosuppression (post-September 1972).

Main Results:

• One-year graft survival for primary transplants was 55%, and four-year survival was 41%.
• Patient survival significantly improved with lower-dose immunosuppression (91% at 1 year, 84% at 4 years).
• Low incidence of post-transplant complications (infections, extravasation, vascular issues) observed.

Conclusions:

• Continuous perfusion preservation with cryoprecipitated plasma yields excellent results for cadaveric kidney transplantation.
• Reduced immunosuppression regimens enhance patient survival post-transplant.
• This preservation method is a viable and effective alternative to other techniques.