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Kidney Transplant

Evaluation

Transplant Donor Evaluation

Evaluation of potential transplant donors, whether relatives, spouses or friends, is also crucial to the success of transplantation. The purpose is to thoroughly evaluate the donor's health and motivation to reduce risks and problems.

Sam's mother could not be a donor because she did not have a compatible blood type. Sam was Type O+ while his mother was A+. Further testing on Sam's brother, Charles, who in the meantime had reaffirmed his desire to donate a kidney to his brother, revealed that Charles was also Type O+.

The evaluation on Charles included:

• Renal ultrasound to check for presence and size of two kidneys.
• Tests for viruses, renal function, and matching with the recipient.
• Thorough physical examination.
• Evaluation by a psychologist.
• Renal arteriogram prior to donation for determination of which donor kidney to use.

Charles had normal blood pressure at 126/60, had no medical or surgical history, had no known allergies, did not take any medications, and did not smoke. He was single, had a BS degree in journalism, and was employed at a newspaper.

Charles and his brother were free of any viruses in their blood that could cause problems after the transplant. An ultrasound showed two normal-sized kidneys with normal vessels that would make donation possible. Blood tests showed creatinine of 1.1, BUN 21. Urine tests showed no presence of protein or blood. All studies were normal.

List three things necessary for an individual to have to be a suitable donor