Determinants of allograft survival in 100 consecutive cadaver kidney transplants

We reviewed 100 consecutive cadaver renal transplants done at our clinic between April 1976 and October 1979. A minimum 1-year followup was available on all patients. The actual 1-year graft survival rate was 64 per cent and the actual 1-year patient survival rate was 91 per cent. Criteria that had no significant effect on 1-year allograft survival were performance of pre-transplant nephrectomy and/or splenectomy, red blood cell group or the level of pre-formed antibody. A major determinant of graft survival was the number of blood transfusions received before transplantation. The 1-year graft survival rate was 36 per cent with no pre-transplant transfusions, 64 per cent with 1 to 5 transfusions and 70 per cent with more than 5 transfusions (p less than 0.005). The 1-year graft survival rate was not influenced by the use of kidneys imported from other states, the use of pediatric cadaver donors 1 to 15 years old or extended renal preservation times. Our experience supports continued regional and national sharing of adult and pediatric cadaver donor kidneys with extended preservation times.