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Kidney Transplant

Transplant

A transplant evaluation was done in February, 1997. Transplant evaluation takes several weeks or months. The evaluation assures that risks are minimal, that a good match will be made with the patient's blood type and cells, that no contraindications exist either medically or psychologically, and that patients and families are well-informed about procedures and about the major advantages and disadvantages of kidney transplantation.   Many individuals evaluate the patient, including transplant surgeons and nephrologists, a pre-transplant nurse clinician, transplant social worker, psychologist, financial counselor, and lab and other technicians.

Sam's evaluation for a kidney transplant included the following:

• Abdominal and renal ultrasound to check gallbladder and kidneys.
• EKG and echocardiogram to evaluate cardiac function
• Chest x-ray
• Meeting with transplant nurse, social worker, surgeon and financial counselor
• Blood typing and tissue typing
• PSA level to rule out prostate cancer
• Dental exam to rule out infection
• Viral testing on blood

Patients considering transplantation should not have heart problems, infections, viruses, or malignancy.   Medications that are needed to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ also make the body's immune system less able to protect against infection.   Thus, individuals with cancer, infection or certain viruses are at high risk if given medication that would suppress their immune systems.   Had Sam been over 45, most transplant centers would have included tests of the colon to rule out polyps or colon cancer.   Had Sam been a female interested in transplant, a mammogram and pap test would have been done.

Most centers have committees that review all potential transplant patients and make recommendations as to suitability and safety.   In Sam's case, the committee of nephrologists and other personnel agreed that Sam was an excellent candidate for transplant.

Explain how a patient is referred and enters the transplant system

Describe two important aspects of evaluating a potential transplant recipient

List two benefits of kidney transplantation