Kidney transplantation in patients 60 years and older

Between 1967 and 1978 41 patients were transplanted at an age of 60 years or more. The patient survival was approximately 50% at two years. Most of the dead patients died with functioning grafts. Infections and cardiovascular complications dominated as causes of death. Main complications were cardiovascular diseases, infections, musculosceletal diseases and diabetes. During the last three years results have improved and we will continue to offer kidney transplantation to elderly patients in terminal renal failure.