"Rethinking High-KDPI Kidneys: A Multidomain Approach to Predicting Success"

The allocation and acceptance of deceased-donor kidneys in the United States is influenced by theKidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI). We conducted a national analysis of high-KDPI kidney transplants performed from 2014 to 2021 to identify key predictors of post-transplant outcomes beyond those incorporated in KDPI.

This retrospective cohort study used data extracted from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). Adult, first-time recipients of kidney-only deceased-donor transplants with KDPI greater than 85% were included. Regression models were used to identify independent predictors of delayed graft function (DGF), primary graft nonfunction (PGNF), patient survival, overall graft survival, and death-censored graft survival.

Among 4,911 recipients, DGF occurred in 33.8% and PGNF in 4.0%. DGF was independently associated with donation after circulatory death, terminal donor creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL, recipient obesity, dialysis duration > 3 years, and cold ischemia time (CIT) ≥ 24 h, whereas machine perfusion was protective. PGNF was associated with donation after circulatory death, terminal donor creatinine > 2.0 mg/dL, high-risk cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus, and donor injury patterns within the high-KDPI range, including younger donor age. Five-year patient and graft survival were 72% and 62%, respectively. Graft loss was independently associated with DGF, elevated intrarenal resistive index (RI), recipient diabetes, prolonged dialysis exposure, and high-risk CMV/EBV serostatus.

Outcomes after high-KDPI kidney transplantation reflect both KDPI-defined donor risk and additional recipient, immunologic, and perioperative factors. A multidomain, offer-time assessment may support more individualized acceptance decisions and improve utilization.