Donor exchange programs in kidney transplantation: Rationale and operational details from the north central donor exchange cooperative

Sanjeev K. Akkina, Heather Muster, Eugenia Steffens, S. Joseph Kim, Bertram L. Kasiske, Ajay K. Israni

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

The increasing need for kidney transplants has led to innovations such as donor exchange programs. These programs offer transplant recipients with incompatible donors an opportunity to receive a compatible kidney. They also provide an alternative to costly desensitization protocols that have unproven long-term outcomes. Donor exchange programs have multiple options, including simple 2-pair exchanges, more complicated domino exchanges, or chain donations. The United States currently is limited by regional programs that provide for kidney donor exchanges. However, with the increasing public interest in and need for kidney transplants, general nephrologists will be approached with questions about these donor exchange programs. The goal of this review is to discuss donor exchange programs, including their role in expanding the donor pool, various types of exchanges, regional centers that provide these programs, and the process involved in patient enrollment. General knowledge of donor exchange programs will help providers in discussing options with patients approaching end-stage kidney disease and transplant.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)152-158
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases
Volume57
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2011

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Support: Dr Akkina was supported by a research grant from the American Society of Transplantation and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , award no. K23DK084121 . Dr Israni is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Physician Faculty Scholar. Dr Kim is supported by the Clinician-Scientist Training Award , Canadian Institutes of Health Research .

Keywords

  • Donor exchange
  • incompatible kidney donor
  • kidney transplantation

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