Considerations When Referring for Kidney or Kidney/Pancreas Transplant

Transplant Eligibility Criteria:

• A patient does not have to be on dialysis to qualify for kidney transplant evaluation/listing. We would prefer to educate and evaluate patients early in the course of their disease.
• Full understanding of transplant procedure, it’s limitations and long-term compliance to follow-up requirements.
• Strong social support network, especially family.
• Free from active drug, nicotine or alcohol abuse
• Weight less than a BMI of 35
• Absence of serious systemic illness or other medical conditions that may affect immediate or long-term survival.

Indications for Kidney Transplant:

Any condition that leads to end-stage renal (kidney) disease

• Diabetes
• Glomerulonephritis
• Pyelonephritis
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Obstructive uropathy
• Congenital urinary tract abnormalities
• Alport's disease
• Hypertensive nephrosclerosis
• Reflux nephropathy
• Interstitial nephritis
• IgA nephropathy
• Goodpasture's syndrome
• Hemolytic uremic syndrome
• Chemical nephrotoxicity
• Renal artery emboli
• Sickle cell nephropathy

Indications for a Kidney/Pancreas Transplant:

• Type I diabetes with advanced nephropathy
• Imperfect metabolic control of exogenous insulin

Absolute Contraindications for Kidney Transplant:

Factors which place individual at highest risk for poor outcome, poor quality of life or increased mortality

• Malignancy within the past two years
• Lack of adequate social or family support
• Significant non-compliance with medical regimen
• Severe central vascular disease (aortoiliac)
• Severe coronary artery disease
• Severe malnutrition/cachexia

Relative Contraindications for Kidney and Kidney/Pancreas Transplants include:

Factors which place individual at highest risk for poor outcome, poor quality of life or increased mortality

• Active tuberculosis
• Active drug/ETOH abuse
• History of recurrent malignancy (Patients free of cancer for two years will be considered.)
• Advanced coronary artery disease
• Advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Current positive crossmatch
• Severe neurologic deficits or untreatable psychiatric illness
• Lack of family or social support

Transplant Center