Nondirected donation (NDD) of the kidneys is a growing practice where donors who do not have any genetic or emotional relationship are selected to donate to a wide variety of recipients with a range of selection criteria and decisions which are left up to individual transplant centers. We review all adult living kidney donor-recipient (DR) pairs and outcomes from NDDs who were recorded in United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database as code 10 (anonymous) from October 1997 to September 2017 for demographics and outcomes. A total of 2174 DR pairs were identified. The number of NDDs increased from 18 in 2000 to 256 in 2016. Survival analysis showed higher death-censored–graft survival (DC-GS) when recipient was 20 years or more older than donor followed by recipient–donor within 20 years of age and lowest when donor was 20 years or more older than recipient (P = 0.0114). Overall, the number of NDDs has increased significantly in the 20-year review period. Transplants from NDDs have excellent long-term outcomes. Better matching of controllable DR factors, such as age and body mass index (BMI), could further improve GS. Further research is needed to incorporate these DR factors into paired kidney donation programs potentially enhancing the utility and beneficence of this invaluable donation.

Hypotension after deceased donor kidney transplant (DDKT) is a risk factor for delayed graft function (DGF) and poor graft survival (GS). We hypothesize that vasopressin use in hypotensive DDKT recipients (DDKTRs) to increase blood pressure (BP) reduces DGF rates and is safe without increasing mortality. Group with vasopressin “study group” (n = 45) was defined as DDKTRs between 2012 and 2017 who required vasopressin for hypotension systolic BP (SBP) <120 mm Hg or diastolic BP (DBP) <60 mm Hg. DDKTRs with no-vasopressin “comparison group” (n = 90) were propensity score-matched DDKTRs between 2012 and 2017 without vasopressin use. Primary outcomes were GS, creatinine and allograft biopsy rate at 1 year, DGF rate, and death during transplant hospitalization. Vasopressin group had lower mean maximum and minimum SBP and DBP in the operating room (OR). Median vasopressin start time post-DDKT was 2 hours (interquartile range [IQR] 1–6), and duration of use was 42 hours (IQR 24–63). DGF, creatinine at 1 year, and allograft biopsy rates were comparable. No deaths occurred during transplant hospitalization. Multivariable analysis did not find an effect of vasopressin use on GS. Treatment of hypotensive DDKTRs with vasopressin is safe and facilitated similar graft function and survival with that of nonhypotensive patients. In the absence of a randomized control trial, our study supports the safety of vasopressin therapy to prevent the adverse effects of hypotension.

Belatacept may be used to spare or replace calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) to preserve renal function. Use in pancreas transplant (PTx) is limited by increased risk of pancreas rejection. This retrospective analysis included all PTxs performed between 2004 and 2023. A 1:2 case/control analysis was performed to identify predictors of belatacept use and compare allograft and patient survival. Of 731 PTxs, 21 (3%) started belatacept (eight simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK), three pancreas after kidney (PAK), and 10 pancreas transplant alone (PTA). At 1 year, Δ estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was +7% SPK, −15% PAK, and +32% PTA. Case–control analysis found no demographic predictors for belatacept except older recipient age for PTA. No difference in median kidney, pancreas, or patient survival was observed compared to control. Pancreas rejection occurred in two SPKs. There were two death censored pancreas allograft failures, both PTAs. Kidney allografts failed in two SPK and one PAK. Eight patients died. Six were still receiving belatacept at time of death with functioning allografts. Belatacept use after PTx is safe and can provide some renal recovery. Belatacept was initiated with eGFR approaching 20 mL/min/1.73m ² . Earlier introduction may result in better outcomes.

Background Socioeconomic factors significantly influence access to kidney transplantation, with socially vulnerable populations experiencing delays in receiving transplants, resulting in prolonged dialysis duration and poorer post-transplant outcomes. This study evaluates the relationship between social vulnerability and disparities in preemptive kidney transplantation using the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), a composite measure developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Methods Utilizing data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) from 2012 to 2020, we analyzed 155,424 adult kidney transplant recipients. The primary exposure was SVI, categorized into quartiles, while primary outcomes included preemptive transplant status and dialysis vintage. Multivariable regression models were adjusted for clinical covariates such as age, gender, BMI, diabetes, and peripheral vascular disease. Result Findings indicate that higher social vulnerability is significantly associated with a reduced likelihood of preemptive kidney transplantation (p < 0.0001) and an increased duration of dialysis prior to transplantation. Patients in the highest SVI quartile (0.75–1.00) were more than twice as likely to undergo dialysis before transplantation compared to those in the lowest quartile (OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.89–2.57). Similarly, increased SVI was strongly correlated with prolonged dialysis duration (OR = 3.43, 95% CI: 3.31–3.55, p < 0.0001). Conclusions These results highlight the impact of socioeconomic disparities on access to timely kidney transplantation. Addressing social vulnerability factors—such as poverty, education, and healthcare access—may help reduce inequities and improve transplantation outcomes. Future interventions should target high-SVI communities to facilitate earlier transplant access and reduce reliance on prolonged dialysis.