Triglyceride-glucose index for predicting in-stent restenosis in patients with iliac artery stenosis after percutaneous intervention with stents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) for predicting in-stent restenosis in patients with iliac artery stenosis after percutaneous intervention with stents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Subjects with iliac artery stenosis, who underwent an iliac stent intervention and were followed up for at least 2 years were included in the study. Subjects were grouped according to TyG index (Group A, TyG index ≤8.848; Group B 8.849 ≤TyG index ≤9.382 and Group C TyG index ≥9.383). The subject's baseline characteristics, blood parameters, claudication distance, Transatlantic Intersociety Consensus classification, target lesion localization, stent direction, number of stents that were applied, and stent type were noted. Pre- and 1st and 2nd-year post-procedure Rutherford statuses, ankle-brachial index, and stenosis degree were recorded. To calculate the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV), Group B and Group C were combined and compared with Group A. RESULTS: In total, 255 subjects were evaluated (female, n=77-30.2%, male, n=178-69.8%). The mean age of the subjects was 66.00±10.00 years (range from 39 to 90 years). The pre-procedure Rutherford measurements were significantly different among the groups (p=0.001). The rates of mild claudication and resting pain in Group A were higher than those in Groups B and C. The rate of moderate claudication in Group C was higher than that in Groups A and B. The rate of severe claudication in Group B was higher than that in Groups A and C. One year after the procedure, there were more asymptomatic cases in Group A than in Groups B and C (p=0.001). The rate of mild claudication in Group C was lower than that in Groups A and B. The rate of moderate claudication in Group C was higher than that in Group A. The rate of severe claudication in Group C was higher than that in Groups A and B. Two years after the procedure, the Rutherford measurements and the rates of mild claudication in Groups A and B were higher than those in Group C. The rate of severe claudication in Group C was higher than that in Groups A and B (p=0.001). One year after the procedure, the computed tomography angiography (CTA) measurements and the rate of full patency in Group A were higher than that in Groups B and C. The rate of 0-50% stenosis in Group B was higher than that in Groups A and C. The rate of 50-70% stenosis in Group C was higher than that in Group A. Two years after the procedure, the CTA measurements and the rates of 70-99% stenosis and 100% occlusion in Group C were higher than those in Groups A and B. The TyG index has high specificity and NPV. However, specificity and PPV levels were found to be quite low. CONCLUSIONS: The TyG index was found to be an easy-to-use marker for predicting in-stent restenosis in patients with iliac artery stenosis after percutaneous intervention with stents.

Long-Term Follow-up Results of Renal Transplantation in Pediatric Patients With Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis: A Single-Center Experience.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a common cause of end-stage renal disease in children. We analyzed the long-term outcome of pediatric patients with FSGS undergoing renal transplantation. The objective of the study is to report the experience of a single center and determine the incidence of recurrence, rejection, graft loss, and related risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This retrospective cohort study was performed between 1991 and 2018. Thirty patients with a pathologic diagnosis of primary FSGS were included in the study. The patients were diagnosed with FSGS according to histologic features in biopsies. RESULTS: Twenty-one of the donors were deceased (70%) and 9 were alive (30%). FSGS recurred in only 2 patients. Graft loss occurred in 6 patients (20%). The causes of graft loss were chronic rejection in 4 patients and acute rejection in 2. Our graft survival rate was 100% at 1 year, 91% at 5 years, 80% at 10 years, 70% at 15 years, and 42% at 20 years. Five- and 10-year graft survival rates were 83% and 83% in living donors and 94% and 79% in deceased donors, respectively. According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of graft survival between living and deceased donors. CONCLUSION: This study, with its contribution to literature in terms of long follow-up of FSGS patients from childhood to adulthood, is important. However, further studies are required.

Evaluation of Cases of Graft Nephrectomy After Graft Loss in Patients With Renal Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Renal transplantation is undoubtedly considered the best renal replacement therapy. Graft nephrectomy can be performed in patients with renal transplantation because of complications associated with the failed graft. We aimed to retrospectively investigate the characteristics of patients who underwent graft nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and November 2013, the records of 757 patients who had renal transplantation in Ege University Faculty of Medicine Hospital Nephrology-Transplantation outpatient clinic were examined. Sixty-four patients who underwent graft nephrectomy were included in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the timing of graft nephrectomy. The group of 30 patients who underwent graft nephrectomy in the first 56 days after the renal transplantation was referred to as the "early group" and the group of 34 patients who underwent graft nephrectomy after 56 days was referred to as "late group." RESULTS: In our study, we found the body mass index to be significantly higher in those with early graft loss (P = .02). We found that there was a difference between the groups in terms of sex (P = .012). When the mortality and morbidity rates after graft nephrectomy were examined, mortality was observed in 3 of the 64 patients in the study and morbidity in 1 patient. CONCLUSION: According to our study, the body mass indices and ages of the subjects who need early graft nephrectomy are higher. However, male sex was significantly more prevalent in patients who underwent graft nephrectomy in the late period compared with the early period.

Preliminary Screening Results of Fabry Disease in Kidney Transplantation Patients: A Single-Center Study.

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficiency of alfa-galactosidase A (AGALA) and leads to progressive impairment of renal function in almost all male patients and in a significant proportion of female patients. FD is underdiagnosed or even misdiagnosed in patients undergoing kidney transplantation. We initiated a selective screening study for FD among kidney transplant patients in our center. In this study, 1095 male and female patients were included. Dried blood samples on Guthrie papers were used to analyze galactosidase A enzyme for male patients. Genetic analyses were performed in all female and male patients with low enzyme activity. In total, 648 female and 447 male patients with functioning grafts were evaluated. Among 1095 patients, 5 male patients had AGALA activity below threshold and 3 female patients had galactosidase alpha gene DNA variations. One male patient had a disease-causing mutation. The other 4 patients had polymorphisms causing low enzyme activity. All the 3 female patients had mutations that were associated with FD according to Human Gene Mutation Database (ID: CM025441). In contrast, these mutations were reported as unknown clinical significance in Clinvar (rs149391489). The patients with clinical findings suggesting FD were planned to be analyzed for Lyso Gb3. In our selective screening study, 8 variations were found among 1095 kidney transplantation patients, which needs further investigation to determine causes of FD. Clinical findings, physical examination, and family history are also necessary to evaluate the genetic changes as a mutation in this selected population.

Efficacy and Safety of ATG-Fresenius as an Induction Agent in Living-Donor Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Induction therapy is mostly recommended for deceased-donor transplantation, whereas it has some controversies in live-donor transplantation. In this study, we described the outcomes of live-donor renal transplant recipients who received ATG-Fresenius (ATG-F) induction. METHODS: Live-donor transplantations in patients over 18 years old with ATG-F induction between 2009 and 2015 were included. All patients received quadruple immunosuppression, one of which was ATG-F induction. Biopsies after the artery anastomosis (zero hour) and protocol biopsies at the 6th month and at the 1st first year were obtained. Acute graft dysfunction was defined as a 20% to 25% increase in creatinine level from baseline. All acute rejection episodes were biopsy-confirmed. All episodes were initially treated with intravenous methyl prednisolone (MP) or ATG-F if resistant to MP. Four hundred twenty-two patients with live-donor transplantation were evaluated. The mean age was 40 ± 13 (18-73) years. The mean panel-reactive antibody levels were 42% ± 30% and 45% ± 30% for class I and II, respectively. RESULTS: The mean mismatch number for living unrelated donors (n = 112) was 4.6 ± 1.0. Acute rejection rate was 29.1% (123 patients) within the first year. The mean cumulative ATG-F doses for per patient and per kilogram were 344 ± 217 mg and 5.1 ± 2.7 mg, respectively. Patient survival rates were 98.3% and 96.7% for 12 months and 60 months, respectively. Death-censored graft survival rates were 97.6% and 92.1% for 12 months and 60 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ATG-F induction provided excellent graft and patient survival rates without any significantly increased side effects. Increasing sensitized patient numbers, more unrelated donors, increasing re-transplantation numbers, and more desensitization protocols make ATG-F more favorable in an induction regimen.

Use of ATG-Fresenius as an Induction Agent in Deceased-Donor Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Anti-T-lymphocyte globulins (ATG) are most commonly used as induction agents in kidney transplantation (KT). In this study, we investigated the use of ATG as induction therapy in deceased-donor KT. METHODS: Among 152 deceased-donor KT recipients transplanted between January 2009 and December 2003, 147 with exact data were enrolled in this study. Delayed graft function was defined as dialysis requirement after KT. Greater than 10% panel-reactive antibody (PRA) was considered as positive. Total ATG (rATG-Fresenius) dosage and induction duration was evaluated. Mean age was 45 ± 10 years; 91 patients were male and 56 patients were female. Class I and class II PRA-positive patient numbers were 20 (13.6%) and 17 (11.5%), respectively. Pre-transplant dialysis vintage was 108 ± 63 months. Mean donor age was 42 ± 17, and cold ischemia time was 16 ± 5 hours. Eighty-nine patients (60%) had delayed graft function and needed at least one session of hemodialysis after transplantation. Cumulative ATG-F dosage was 676 ± 274 mg. The mean ATG-F cumulative dosage was 10.6 ± 3.8 mg/kg. At the end of first year, mean creatinine and proteinuria levels were 1.4 ± 1.0 mg/dL and 0.3 ± 0.4 g/d, respectively. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time was 32 ± 20 months. During follow-up, there were 14 graft failures and 11 patients died. Patient survival for 1 and 2 years were 93% and 92.3%, respectively. Death-censored graft survival rates for 1 and 2 years were 94.8% and 90.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ATG-F induction provides acceptable graft and patient survival in deceased-donor KT. ATG-F infusion is well tolerated. Infection rates seem to be acceptable compared with all transplantation populations.

Impact of Prophylaxis vs Pre-emptive Approach for Cytomegalovirus Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common viral infection during the post-transplant period, and it is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in kidney transplantation. In this study, the incidence and impact of pre-emptive and prophylactic approaches and long-term effects on graft and patient survival of CMV infection were investigated. Among 493 adult kidney transplant recipients, pretransplant CMV IgG-negative patients and patients with a follow-up shorter than a month were excluded. The patients were divided into 2 groups: pre-emptive group (n = 187, regular screening and acyclovir 400 mg twice daily for 6 months), and prophylaxis group (n = 275, valganciclovir 450 mg/d for 3 months). The pre-emptive group was screened for CMV with either pp65 antigenemia or CMV DNA. There were 462 patients, and mean follow-up was 37.7 months. There were more CMV infections in the pre-emptive group than in the prophylaxis group (n = 56, 30.1% vs n = 12, 4.4%, respectively; P < .001). Late CMV infections were significantly more frequent in the prophylaxis group (10 of 12, 83.3%) than in the pre-emptive group (8 of 56, 14.3%, P < .001). In multivariate analysis, valganciclovir prophylaxis was associated with a lower CMV infection (relative risk [RR]: 0.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08 to 0.39, P < .001). Delayed graft function was the only independent risk factor for graft loss during the follow-up on multivariate Cox regression analysis (RR: 2.66, 95% GA 1.17 to 6.04, P = .02). Valganciclovir prophylaxis was more protective against CMV infection than the pre-emptive approach. Neither prophylaxis/pre-emptive approaches nor CMV infection had negative effect on graft and patient survival.

Impedance ratio: a novel marker and a powerful predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients.

PURPOSE: Impedance ratio (Imp-R) obtained by multifrequency bioimpedance analysis (BIA) has been shown to be associated with volume and nutrition status. In this prospective study, the predictive role of Imp-R for mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients was investigated. METHODS: Multifrequency (5-50-100-200 kHz) BIA was applied to 493 prevalent HD patients in March-April 2006. Imp-R was defined as the ratio of 200-5 kHz impedance values. Demographical, clinical and laboratory data at the time of the analysis were recorded. All-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality were assessed during 3 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Mean age was 57.7 ± 13.9 years, HD duration 52.1 ± 42.6 months and prevalence of diabetes 21.7 %. Imp-R was negatively correlated with nutritional markers including albumin, creatinine and hemoglobin levels. In addition, there was a positive correlation between Imp-R and age, ratio of extracellular water to total body water and high-sensitive C-reactive protein. Over a mean follow-up period of 27.9 ± 11.1 months, 93 deaths (52 from CV reasons) were observed. In the multivariate analysis, Imp-R was significantly associated with all-cause and CV mortality after adjustments [HR 1.13, 95 % CI (1.04-1.23); p = 0.004 and HR 1.15, 95 % CI (1.03-1.27); p = 0.01, respectively]. The risk of all-cause mortality was 3.4 times higher in the fourth quartile of Imp-R (>83.5 %) compared to the first Imp-R quartile (<78.8 %) as reference. Cutoff value of Imp-R for all-cause mortality was 82.0 % with a sensitivity of 65.5 % and specificity of 64 %. CONCLUSION: Impedance ratio measured by multifrequency in standardized conditions BIA is an independent and powerful predictor of both all-cause and CV mortality in hemodialysis patients.

Urgency Priority in Kidney Transplantation: Experience in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: In Turkey, according to the directions of National Organ and Tissue Transplant Coordination System, a system has been established since 2008 of urgency priority for kidney transplantation in cases with imminent lack of access for either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. In this study, we compared patient and graft outcomes between patients on the national waiting list having urgency priority for kidney transplantation (UKT) and those having the other kidney from the same deceased donor (control group). METHODS: We examined retrospective data of patients, who underwent transplantation under urgency priority allocation in Turkey from 2010 to 2014 and compared that group with other patients receiving kidney transplants from the same deceased donors (control group). Then we compared these patients for early and long-term patient and graft outcomes. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients had UKT, and 40 patients received transplants from the same deceased donors. Mean follow-up of patients after transplantation was 18 ± 12 months. Eight patients with UKT and 4 patients in the control group lost their grafts. At follow-up, 7 patients died in the UKT group, and 4 patients died in the control group. Patient survival in the UKT group was 90% at 1 year and 83% at 2 years, and in the control group was 93% at 1 year and 84% at 2 years (P = .384). Graft survival was 87% at 1 year and 81% at 2 years in UKT, and 91% at both 1 and 2 years in the control group (P = .260). CONCLUSIONS: Although patients with UKT showed lower graft and patient survivals than the control group, the difference was statistically nonsignificant. UKT can be an obligatory treatment model for patients with lack of vascular or peritoneal access for dialysis.

Is a High Body Mass Index Still a Risk Factor for Complications of Donor Nephrectomy?

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The incidence of obesity is increasing all around the world and Turkey is no exception. In Turkey, 80.1% of all kidney transplants performed in 2013 were living donor kidney transplants. In this study we compare the early postoperative complications of living kidney donors with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 to those with BMIs under 30. PATIENTS AND METHOD: All donor nephrectomies performed at the Ege University School of Medicine Hospital between May 2013 and May 2014 were included in the study. Donors' demographics, preoperative BMI, operation time, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and perioperative blood creatinine levels were analyzed. RESULTS: There were a total of 72 donors, 50 of whom had a BMI below 30 (group 1), whereas 22 had a BMI of 30 or higher (Group 2). The median age was 47 (±12.6) and 52.2 (±8.4) for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. The median BMI was 26.1 (±2.3) for Group 1 and 31.8 (±1.5) for Group 2. There was no significant difference in operation time (P = .980) between the 2 groups. There was no difference in the length of hospitalization with an average hospital stay of 3 days for both groups. No major complications were observed in either group. There was no difference in minor complication rates for both groups. CONCLUSION: High BMI donors can safely donate their kidney with no significant increase in complication rates at high-volume transplantation centers.

Correlation of the Volume Control Parameters With Health Related Quality of Life in Renal Transplant Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Transplantation is the most effective treatment strategy for end-stage renal failure. We aimed to investigate the correlation of volume control parameters with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in renal transplantation patients during the pre- and post-transplantation periods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-seven patients who underwent renal transplantation from deceased donors between January 2011 and January 2013 were included in the study. The biochemical markers, complete blood count, and creatinine levels were measured during pretransplantation and at post-transplantation month 6. The Turkish version of the Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire was used for the assessment of HRQoL. Blood pressure (BP) and echocardiographic measurements were used to evaluate the volume status. RESULTS: Significant improvements were achieved in all echocardiographic measurements, biochemical parameters except Ca(++), and SF-36 questionnaire domain scores (DSs) except vitality in the post-transplantation period. Systolic BP (SBP), the left atrium index, vena cava inferior collapsibility index (VCCI), and diastolic BP were associated with vitality (P = .02, .03, .05, and .04, respectively); SBP was associated with social functioning (P < .01) and role emotional (P < .01); and left ventricular mass index was associated with mental health (P = .05) DSs during the pretransplantation period. In the post-transplantation period, VCCI, left ventricular mass index, and SBP were associated with general health (P = .02, .05, and .05, respectively); VCCI and SBP were also associated with mental health (P = .05 and .01, respectively); and left atrium index was associated with role emotional (P = .05) DSs. CONCLUSION: Concomitant improvement in the volemic status may contribute to improvements in HRQoL after renal transplantation.

Comparison of Preemptive Kidney Transplantation With Nonpreemptive Kidney Transplantation in a Single Center: A Follow-up Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The effect of preemptive transplantation of kidneys from living donors on patient and allograft survival is controversial. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether preemptive kidney transplantation performed without the development of patient dialysis-related complications has a favorable effect on patient and graft survival. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The study included 334 adult renal transplant recipients. Patients who underwent renal transplantation between January 2008 and December 2012 at a tertiary referral teaching hospital were followed, and outcomes were obtained by retrospective chart review. A total of 244 patients underwent dialysis before renal transplantation, whereas 90 patients underwent preemptive transplantation. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with regard to patients and graft survival rates (P > .05). Patient survival rates in preemptive and nonpreemptive groups were 98.9% and 96.3% in the first year, respectively (P = .199). Graft survival rates in preemptive and nonpreemptive groups were 96.7% and 93.0% in the first year, respectively (P = .163). Patient survival rates in preemptive and nonpreemptive groups were 98.9% and 95.7% in the third year, respectively (P = .155). Graft survival rates in preemptive and nonpreemptive groups were 93.5% and 88.5% in the third year, respectively (P = .138). There was a significant difference among years with regard to ratio of patients with preemptive transplantation (P = .009). The ratio was 17.5% in 2008, whereas it rose to 43.1% in 2012. CONCLUSION: Although preemptive kidney transplantation does not provide a significant patient and allograft survival advantage compared to nonpreemptive kidney transplantation, both therapeutic modalities provide good outcomes. Preemptive kidney transplantation has been an increasingly frequent renal replacement therapy option in recent years.

Comparison of Patients in Whom Double-J Stent Had Been Placed or Not Placed After Renal Transplantation in a Single Center: A Follow-up Study.

BACKGROUND: Double-J (DJ) stents play an important role in modern urology to prevent undesirable side effects after surgery. We aimed to investigate the relationship of DJ stents with the demographic characteristics, surgical complications, urinary tract infection (UTI), and hematuria in the patients who underwent renal transplantation (Tx). METHODS: Data of 354 patients who underwent renal Tx between 2008 and 2011 at Ege University were evaluated retrospectively; 331 patients were included in this study. The term DJ (-) represents patients in whom a DJ stent was not placed. "Primary DJ term" represents patients in whom the DJ stent was placed during the first Tx. "Secondary DJ term" represents the patients who had DJ after Tx for any complication. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-four (76.7%) patients were in the DJ (-) group, 52 (15.7%) were in the primary DJ group, and 25 (7.6%) were in the secondary DJ group. There were significant differences between the groups in terms of anastomosis type (P = .000), stay-in-hospital time (P = .000), surgical complication (P = .000), re-operation (P = .000), percutaneous nephrostomy (P = .000), UTI (P = .000), first-time UTI (P = .000), recurrent UTI (P = .000), positive hemoculture (P = .000), hematuria (P = .000), duration of dialysis before Tx (P = .000), live/deceased donor (P = .000), and delayed graft function (P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: Our choice is to use the DJ stent in selected high-risk patients and to keep the indications for DJ stent wider in deceased donor transplants by considering possible surgical complications. The use of the stent only in selected cases will decrease surgical complications due to stent placement.

Impact of enuresis nocturna on health-related quality of life in children and their mothers.

OBJECTIVE: Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is a common childhood disorder. As children age and NE persists, it may become more stressful for both them and their caregivers. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of NE on the quality of life of children who were diagnosed with NE, and their mothers, and to compare the results with a healthy control group. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Eighty-two children with NE, and their mothers, and 93 healthy children and their mothers were enrolled in the study. The sociodemographic data were evaluated. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Scales (PedsQL 4.0) were used to assess the children's health-related quality of life (HRQoL); and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument; short form (WHOQOL-BREF) was used for the mothers' HRQoL. RESULTS: The PedsQL 4.0 mean scores for the children with NE group were as follows: total score, 68.74; physical health score, 72.79; psychosocial health score, 66.56. The scores for the children in the control group were as follows: total score, 80.98; physical health score, 81.11; psychosocial health score, 80.88. The WHOQOL-BREF scores for the mothers of the children with NE were as follows: physical health score, 67.90; psychosocial health score, 62.66; social relationships score, 60.90; environmental area score, 61.04. The WHOQOL-BREF scores for the mothers in the control group were as follows: physical health score, 75.96; psychosocial health score, 72.39; social relationships score, 72.18; environmental area score, 67.44. CONCLUSIONS: Nocturnal enuresis negatively affects the quality of life of both children and their mothers. Therefore, when physicians see children with enuresis, they should also be aware of the effect of NE on the mothers' quality of life.

Kidney transplant recipients with functioning grafts for more than 15 years.

BACKGROUND: Renal transplantation is the best renal replacement therapy because it significantly improves patient survival. The developments in transplantation and increasing number of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have unmasked long-term complications secondary to immunosuppressive drugs and chronic renal failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty-six renal transplant recipients with grafts that have functioned more than 15 years were included in the study. This cross-sectional retrospective analysis of demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings was conducted in 3 Turkish transplantation centers. The mean age was 30.4 ± 10.2 years at the time of the transplantation. The mean time between the transplantation and the study was 19.1 ± 3.6 years. At the time of the study, mean creatinine level was 1.52 ± 0.60 mg/dL, 70.09% of the patients displayed glomerular filtration rates <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Urinary protein excretion was 0.57 ± 0.65 g/d. Hypertension and hyperlipidemia were the most common comorbid diseases. Twelve patients had diabetes and 9 cardiovascular disease. Seventeen patients had been diagnosed with skin and 5 with non-skin cancer. CONCLUSIONS: As the number of recipients with long-term functioning grafts increases, long-term complications become evident, particularly chronic renal failure. Survivors should be evaluated regularly and treated early for risk factors and complications to improve long-term graft and patient survival.

Use of suicidal deaths as kidney donors: a single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: Although the number of end-stage renal disease patients on the waiting list has increased, the number of deceased kidney donors has not increased proportionately. Therefore, the use of kidney donors defined as "marginal" has become an issue. Since the acceptance of deaths due to poisoning or suicide as donors has been proposed, we evaluated the clinical courses of kidney transplantations from suicidal death donors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively the outcomes of nine deceased donor kidneys (8 males) from suicide victims between 2001 and 2012. Demographic and clinical characteristics of donors and recipients were collected from medical files. RESULTS: The mean donor age was 27.8 ± 11.9 years. Causes of death were: gunshot wounds to the head (n:4), pesticide intoxication (n:2), methanol intoxication (n:1), hanging (n:1), or carotid artery laceration (n:1). Mean donor creatinine level, urine output per hour, and 24-hour urine volume were 0.94 ± 0.53 mg/dL, 270 ± 113 mL, and 5496 ± 832 mL, respectively. Mean cold ischemia time was 12.3 ± 5.7 hours. Primary allograft nonfunction occurred in one recipient requiring nephrectomy. The average posttransplantation creatinine level at 1 year was 1.19 ± 0.62 mg/dL. The mean follow-up was 55 ± 49 months. Allograft loss occurred due to chronic rejection in three patients at 10, 37, and 40 months. Five patients are still undergoing follow-up with functioning grafts. CONCLUSION: Brain death cases caused by the suicide should be considered for organ donation.

Use of kidney donors with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or brain tumor: a single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: With the rapid increase in the number of patients on the waiting lists, the idea of using organs from donors who were previously classified as "marginal" has emerged. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the patients who received kidneys from donors with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or brain tumors. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between 2003 and 2010, 27 transplantations were performed from donors with hepatitis B, hepatitis C or brain tumors between 2003 and 2010. Demographic and clinical characteristics of donors and recipients were retrospectively collected from medical files. RESULTS: Fifteen patients received kidneys from donors with hepatitis B: 9 from deceased donors having a positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and six from living donors with positive HBsAg having negative results of qualitative hepatitis B DNA analysis. Two of the fifteen recipients were previously diagnosed with chronic active mild hepatitis B infection. The remaining 13, who were HBsAg (-)/anti-HBs(+) at the time of transplantation, underwent hepatitis B immune globulin and lamivudine therapy. Median follow up time was 40 ± 35 months. One patient developed decompensated liver disease owing to noncompliance to lamivudine therapy. Five patients who received grafts from anti-HCV(+) deceased donors were anti-HCV(+) at the time of transplantation with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels <40 U/L. All grafts remained functional at a median of 70 months. Seven subjects received grafts from deceased donors with brain tumors, none of whom had a history of a craniotomy or a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. All recipients had serious vascular access problems. No graft loss or de novo malignancies was observed among these patients after a median follow-up of 69 ± 26 months. CONCLUSION: With appropriate patient selection, the donated organ pool can be expanded by addition of donors with hepatitis or brain tumors.

What kind of changes occurred in clinical characteristics of deceased kidney donor recipients after national allocation system in Turkey? A single-center retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical characteristics of recipients of deceased donor renal transplantations were evaluated in the period before versus after implementation of The National Allocation System (NAS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated retrospectively clinical profiles of the 42 after NAS (June 2008-December 2010) versus 42 consecutive deceased donor renal transplantation patients before NAS. Patient and graft survival rates were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method; graft function was assessed based on creatinine clearance with the Cockcroft Gault equation. Patient and donor data were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: Recipients were older in the pre-NAS group (39 ± 8 vs 33 ± 8 years, respectively; P = .001) and median duration of preoperative dialysis was longer in the post-NAS group (103 ± 61 months vs 50 ± 36 months, respectively; P = .000). The average number of human leukocyte antigen-mismatched antigens were pre-NAS 3.4 ± 1.0 versus post-NAS 3.9 ± 1.2 (P = .05). Considering the recipients serological status 9 were hepatitis C virus (HCV)(+) and 2 hepatitis B virus (HBV)(+) among the post-NAS versus no HBV(+) and only 1 HCV(+) patient pre-NAS. Kaplan-Meier analysis of graft survival rates showed 90% at 1 and 85% at 3 years pre-NAS. Similar to 95% at 1 and 86% at 3 years for the post-NAS group (P > .05). Likewise, patient survival rates for both groups at 1 and 3 years were 97%. The mean parameter of donor age, allograft loss, cold ischemia time, patient death, number of retransplantations, HBV(+) patients, and delayed graft function were similar between groups (P > .05). DISCUSSION: After NAS the transplant recipients were older, had a longer duration of dialysis, greater number of HLA mismatched antigens and, more HCV(+). No differences were observed in short-term patient and graft survival rates.

Long-term outcomes of kidney transplants with multiple renal arteries: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether kidney transplantations performed using grafts with multiple arteries negatively affected renal function or increased the risk of vascular or urologic complications. METHODS: Among 249 kidney transplant patient followed for at least 1 year between 2000 and 2005, we retrospectively evaluated their donor renal artery anatomy to compare postoperative vascular and urologic complications: creatinine clearance at 1, 2, and 5 years, as well as graft survival at 3 and 5 years. RESULTS: While 214 (85.9%) displayed a single artery (group 1), 35 (14.1%) showed multiple renal arteries (group 2). Thirty-one of the group 2 allografts had two, three donors had three, and one had four arteries. The postoperative vascular and urologic complications and the creatinine clearance values at 1, 2, and 5 years of both groups were similar. The 3- and 5-year graft survivals among group 1 were 95% and 90%, whereas those of group 2 were 94% and 91% respectively (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that multiple renal arteries did not adversely affect postoperative urologic or vascular complications or kidney allograft or patient survival compared with single renal artery cases.