Are You a Transplant Candidate?

If you are considering a kidney transplant, you have most likely already been receiving dialysis for some time, and are familiar with the restrictions it places on your lifestyle. While transplantation does offer a less restrictive alternative to dialysis, it is important that you understand the risks as well as the advantages of a kidney transplant.

Risk Factors

• Because kidney transplantation is major surgery, it entails the associated risks of infection, bleeding and death.
• Patients who have undergone a kidney transplant must take medications (called immunosuppressants) every day as long as the kidney is functioning to prevent rejection.
• Immunosuppressent medications can be costly, and they can cause side effects, including an increased risk of infections and cancer.

Advantages

• You will no longer be dependent on dialysis. 
• The anemia (tiredness) you feel while on dialysis is usually reversed after a kidney transplant. In fact, most people find that they can return to work or school, and enjoy other activities not possible while on dialysis.
• After a successful transplant, fluid and diet restrictions are relaxed.
• After a transplant, many patients experience an increase in sexual desire, and fertility may occur. Many men are able to father children, and full-term pregnancies are possible for some women.
• Over the long term, a kidney transplant is less expensive to society than dialysis.

Eligibility for a Kidney Transplant

Any patient whose own kidneys have failed or are close to failing is a potential candidate for a kidney transplant. Several factors play a role in determining whether transplantation or dialysis is best for you. These factors include your general health, and any health problems that could increase the risks associated with transplant surgery. The problems with the most likelihood of increasing the risk of surgery are heart disease, cancer and infection.

The Evaluation Process

The Lankenau Kidney Transplant Team will assess your eligibility for surgery in a number of ways. These include:

• Blood Typing: Every individual has a specific blood type, designated as A, B, AB or O. In order for a transplant to be successful, the donor of the kidney must have a blood type that is compatible with your own blood type. In most cases, this means the donor must have a blood type that matches your own. However, donors who have an O blood type can donate blood and organs to all other blood types and recipients who have an AB blood type can receive an organ from a donor with any blood type. Recipients who have an AB blood type can receive an organ from a donor with any blood type. The Rh factor is not important in matching organ. This means, for example, that an A+ individual can donate to an A- individual.
• Tissue Typing: Tissue typing is a blood test through which antigens, also called markers, are identified on your cells. When searching for a donor kidney, the objective is to match the donor antigens to your own. The more matches, the better the chance that your body will keep the kidney for a longer period of time.

Tests and Examinations

It is important that your overall health be evaluated prior to a kidney transplant. Your transplant team doctors will conduct a physical evaluation, and will request that you undergo a number of different tests and examinations.

• Blood Samples will be required for viral and routine studies.
• A Chest X-Ray will be taken so your doctors can look at your lungs and lower respiratory track.
• An EKG will be performed to see how the heart is working.
• A Dental Exam is recommended prior to surgery to check for the presence of infections in your teeth or mouth.
• For women, a Gynecologic Exam and Pap Smear should be performed.
• Depending on your physical condition, age and health history, your doctors may also recommend other tests or examinations.

Transplant Team Consultation

To help answer all of your questions about transplantation, and to prepare you for what’s ahead, a meeting will be arranged with your transplant team, including a physician, transplant nurse coordinator, social worker, dietitian and financial coordinator.