What types of conditions will the transplant center be looking out for that may preclude me from getting one?  

Remember that the decision to place you on the list ultimately resides with the transplant team. The following are some conditions that may preclude you from getting on a transplant list:

  • Active infection
  • Active cancer
  • Chronic illness that could lead to death soon
  • Active drug/alcohol use
  • Severe heart disease/failure
  • Severe psychiatric disease
  • Noncompliance with medication
  • Severe Obesity: BMI above 40. Calculate your BMI here
  Will the disease which caused my kidney disease to begin with recur in my kidney transplant?  

The original disease of your native CAN recur in the transplanted kidney in some cases. It depends on the condition of course. Please talk to your Nephrologist and Transplant team to help assist you with this one.

  My KT center suggested an ECD kidney. What’s that?  

An Extended Criteria Donor (ECD) is a kidney from a deceased person who has any of the following

  • At least 60 years of age
  • Over 50 years with at least two of the following conditions:
    1. Hypertension
    2. Blood creatinine greater than 1.5 mg/dl
    3. Cause of death was from a stroke.

This is used to expand and increase the availability of the donor pool.

  What are some of the long term conditions to look out for in the months and years after a transplant?  
  • Heart Disease
  • High cholesterol
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes
  • Disorders of bone metabolism
  • Post transplant infections
  • Recurrence of the original disease in the transplant
  • Cancer

The purpose of long term follow with your doctors is to identify the above conditions and also to maintain your health. This is done unusually by the transplant clinic and subsequently by the Nephrologist. Close communication with the Primary Care Physician is also necessary.