Effect of delayed graft function in hypersensitized kidney transplant recipients.

Overview

There is increased evidence about the deleterious effect of delayed graft function (DGF) in both short- and long-term kidney graft outcome. Among the mechanisms involved in the production of DGF, immune factors play a role, especially in the level of hypersensitization. From the 1389 patients transplanted at our hospital until November 2004, it has been found that the presence of moderate and high levels of sensitization, as measured by panel-reactive antibodies, is a risk factor for suffering from DGF. Further, DGF was associated with poor graft survival, and the risk was even higher when DGF was combined with moderate/high panel-reactive antibodies. Recent data demonstrate the usefulness of intravenous immunoglobulins in the management of hypersensitized patients in terms of short-term outcome. It remains to be demonstrated whether this therapy is able to ameliorate the higher ischemic injury that kidneys undergo from these immunologically high-risk patients.