26 Sep A Novel Algorithm Utilizing Expanded Donor Criteria for the Allocation of Dual Kidneys in Adults

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Adam Johnson, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS
Thomas Jefferson University

Dr. Cataldo Doria, senior author and designer of the study, emphasized that the work was a team effort

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: The goal was to develop an algorithm to identify which donors would be most suitably transplanted as dual kidneys instead of as single kidneys.

Dual kidney transplantation is a resource intensive procedure, but may make the most out of two kidneys whose function may be too marginal to transplant independently.

Currently allocation decisions are based on individual surgeon and institutional experience and without much available outcome data. This score provide decision support for which donor grafts would have the greatest benefit if transplanted as dual kidneys.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: When our score was applied retrospectively we found that 77% of donors transplanted as dual kidneys matched on high-risk criteria demonstrated no improved or worse graft survival than donors transplanted as single kidneys.

In addition, we found that 2% of donors transplanted as single kidneys significantly poorer graft survival. Although conclusions are limited by applying this retrospectively, algorithm could have resulted in 1200 more organs available for transplant if those duals has been transplanted as singles and 286,000 additional graft survival days if the single kidneys had been transplanted as dual.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: The transplant community has a vast amount of outcomes data available to assist allocation and policy decisions through the UNOS database. This data paired with advanced modeling techniques can provide important guidance of effective allocation decisions to help the right recipient receive the right organ from the right donor.

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Response: We appreciate UNOS for allowing us to access their data for our research and all the work they do to coordinate the care for transplant patients across the country. Thank you for considering our work.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Dual Kidney Allocation Score: A Novel Algorithm Utilizing Expanded Donor Criteria for the Allocation of Dual Kidneys in Adults
Adam P. Johnson, Thea P. Price, Benjamin Lieby, Cataldo Doria
(Department of Transplant Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA,
Ann Transplant 2016; 21:565-576
DOI: 10.12659/AOT.898328
Published: 2016-09-08

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on September 26, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD