Effect of Cold Ischemia Time on Kidney Graft Function and Survival: Differences Between Paired Kidney Transplants From the Same Donor.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney transplantation procedures commonly result in a cold ischemia time (CIT) gap when both kidney grafts are implanted in the same center. Owing to logistics, the procedure is usually consecutive, first accomplishing one surgery and then the other. CIT constitutes an independent risk factor for the development of delayed graft function (DGF) in kidney transplants. The effect that CIT exerts on graft and patient survival is still unclear. This study evaluates the relation of CIT and transplant outcomes by comparing paired kidney transplants in terms of survival and graft function. METHODS: We accomplished a retrospective analysis of 402 kidney transplants performed in our center between 2000 and 2017. We selected all transplants where both organs from the same donor were implanted at our hospital, establishing 2 study groups (group 1: first graft implanted and group 2: second graft implanted) to compare by paired data statistical methods. RESULTS: We found an increase in the incidence of DGF in group 2 (42% vs 28.8%; P < .05). Group 2 had significantly worse graft function on day 5 posttransplant (4.7 ± 2.88 vs 3.86 ± 2.8 mg/dL of serum creatinine; P < .05). No significant differences in graft function were found on days 30 and 90 posttransplant. We didn't find any difference in graft survival between both groups. Length of hospitalization stay (17.6 days [± 13] vs 21.6 days [± 17]) and hemodialysis sessions (mean of 2.8 [± 2] vs 3.6 [± 2.2]) were higher in group 2. CONCLUSION: CIT acts as an independent risk factor for the development of DGF in kidney transplantation. CIT had no isolated effect on graft survival.

Usefulness of Delayed Introduction of Tacrolimus in Kidney Transplants Using Type-III Donors After Circulatory Death.

INTRODUCTION: Our study compares 2 immunosuppressive strategies to reduce tacrolimus nephrotoxicity and its risk of acute tubular necrosis: delayed introduction of tacrolimus plus thymoglobulin vs initial tacrolimus plus basiliximab on the results of kidney transplant (KT) using type-III donation after circulatory death (III-DCD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed all the transplants performed using type-III DCD in our hospital (42 cases). They were distributed in a first stage with delayed tacrolimus (3°-4° day) + thymoglobulin and a second one with initial tacrolimus + basiliximab, with a follow-up of 6 months. The rate of delayed graft function, the evolution of renal function, and the incidence of rejection were compared. RESULTS: 28 patients received thymoglobulin with delayed tacrolimus, and 13 patients received basiliximab and tacrolimus from day 0 (1 excluded). There were no significant differences in delayed graft function (27% group 1 and 23% group 2) or in rejection (10.7% and 15.4%), respectively. Serum creatinine at day 3, 7, 14, 30, and 180 showed no statistically significant differences. The levels of tacrolimus measured at 10, 30, 90, and 180 days after transplantation were similar, except for the first month: 10.10 ± 2.3 in group 1 and 12 ± 1.7 ng/mL in group 2 (P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed introduction of tacrolimus does not seem to suppose a benefit in KT using type-III DCD; therefore, the use of thymoglobulin, with its higher profile of adverse effects, seems unjustified in patients with normal immunological risk.