Behavior of the initial function of renal graft in recipients from donors with expanded criteria for age

Abstract

One of the problems faced by nephrology at present is the increasing number of patients with terminal chronic renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy to survive. A descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study was conducted from June 2001 to December 31, 2008, in the Renal Transplantation Room of the Nephrology Service of the Arnaldo Milian Castro Provincial University Hospital in Santa Clara. Its aim was to describe the behavior of early graft function in renal transplant recipients from donors with expanded criteria for age. The universe was composed of the 186 patients who received renal transplantation during the period analyzed. The sample was composed of a total of 55 patients who received kidney transplants from donors aged over 50 years. Donors older than 50 years can be an alternative to use within the expanded criteria for donation, which will allow us to increase the number of kidney transplants, in view of a waiting list in continuous increase. The age and sex of the donor, cause of death, trauma and cerebrovascular accident are very important determinants of the early graft function and survival in the short, medium and long term renal graft. Together with the donor's age, the cold ischemia time is a factor clearly defined and related to the early graft function. Acute tubular necrosis was the main cause of early graft dysfunction. It is a risk factor to take into account in the development of acute rejection and to achieve an optimal renal function at one year.