Recommendations for living donor kidney transplantation

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Transplantation Medicine
• Surgical Sciences

Background:

• Living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) is a critical treatment for chronic renal failure.
• The importance of living donors in kidney transplantation (KT) needs to be re-emphasized.
• Advancements in donation strategies and donor acceptance criteria are expanding LDKT accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide clinicians with decision-making tools for evaluating living kidney donors and transplant recipients.
• To optimize outcomes for both donors and recipients in LDKT.
• To update evidence for the best chronic renal failure treatment when a living donor is available.

Main Methods:

• Evidence update for chronic renal failure treatment in LDKT.
• Incorporation of new donation forms: incompatible HLA/ABO donation and paired donation.
• Refined risk analysis for donor health and pre-donation evaluation protocols.

Main Results:

• Expanded criteria for accepting living kidney donors, including older donors and those with borderline clinical histories.
• Improved risk assessment and management strategies to protect donor health.
• Successful implementation of incompatible and paired donation strategies to increase transplantation rates.

Conclusions:

• This guide offers recommendations and suggestions to aid decision-making in LDKT, particularly in pre-donation evaluations.
• Ensuring informed consent through high-quality studies and information for donors and recipients is paramount.
• LDKT programs must prioritize donor safety and well-being throughout the evaluation and donation process.