Open AccessWhat happens after graft loss? A large, long‐term, single‐center observation
Author(s) -
Schrezenmeier Eva,
Lehner Lukas J.,
Merkel Marina,
Mayrdorfer Manuel,
Duettmann Wiebke,
Naik Marcel G.,
Fröhlich Felix,
Liefeldt Lutz,
Pigorsch Mareen,
Friedersdorff Frank,
Schmidt Danilo,
Niemann Matthias,
Lachmann Nils,
Budde Klemens,
Halleck Fabian
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
transplant international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.998
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1432-2277
pISSN - 0934-0874
DOI - 10.1111/tri.13834
Subject(s) - medicine , single center , observational study , surgery , dialysis , cohort , nephrectomy , kidney
Summary The number of patients returning to dialysis after graft failure increases. Surprisingly, little is known about the clinical and immunological outcomes of this cohort. We retrospectively analyzed 254 patients after kidney allograft loss between 1997 and 2017 and report clinical outcomes such as mortality, relisting, retransplantations, transplant nephrectomies, and immunization status. Of the 254 patients, 49% had died 5 years after graft loss, while 27% were relisted, 14% were on dialysis and not relisted, and only 11% were retransplanted 5 years after graft loss. In the complete observational period, 111/254 (43.7%) patients were relisted. Of these, 72.1% of patients were under 55 years of age at time of graft loss and only 13.5% of patients were ≥65 years. Age at graft loss was associated with relisting in a logistic regression analysis. In the complete observational period, 42 patients (16.5%) were retransplanted. Only 4 of those (9.5%) were ≥65 years at time of graft loss. Nephrectomy had no impact on survival, relisting, or development of dnDSA. Patients after allograft loss have a high overall mortality. Immunization contributes to long waiting times. Only a very limited number of patients are retransplanted especially when ≥65 years at time of graft loss.