From Evaluation to Transplant

How Does It All Work?

Either you, your physician, or your dialysis unit can contact us to be referred for evaluation to receive a transplant. Just call 610-402-CARE

Because making an informed decision about transplantation is so important to your success, part of your initial visit includes discussing in detail the benefits and risks of transplantation. After this, we'll conduct a thorough pre-transplant evaluation tailored to your medical history. Throughout the evaluation period, we stay in touch with you to answer questions and address concerns.

Each potential transplant candidate is viewed from a holistic standpoint where transplant is only one aspect of a multi-faceted disease treatment process. A well informed patient has the best opportunity for success following transplantation. Not only will patients learn about the risks and benefits of transplantation from the transplant program staff, but will also be instilled with a sense of responsibility for their own health care. At The Transplant Center, the patient is an integral part of the transplant team.

As a potential renal transplant candidate, you will go through a pre-transplant evaluation before any recommendations are offered. All potential candidates for transplantation are reviewed by the Transplant Review Board, which has representation from nephrology, endocrinology, surgery, tissue typing, case management, dietary, pharmacy, the transplant coordinators, and financial counseling. The group meets twice monthly to evaluate and discuss those patients going through the pre-transplant evaluation.

Evaluation

To become a candidate for a transplant, an extensive evaluation will be completed before you can be placed on the transplant list or receive a living donor kidney. Testing includes (1) blood tests, (2) diagnostic tests, and (3) psychological and social evaluation. 

1. Blood tests are done to gather information to assist us in evaluating your general health and the health of your kidney, as well as to ensure that you receive a donor organ that is a match for you. Tests include blood chemistries and clotting studies, such as prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) to measure the time it takes for blood to clot. The blood tests that will help determine the best organ match for you may include:

Your blood type: Each person has a specific blood type: type A, B, O or AB. When receiving a transfusion, the blood received must be a compatible type with your own to prevent a serious transfusion reaction. Similarly, the blood group of your kidney donor must be compatible to yours to prevent your body from rejecting the kidney.

Tissue Typing, including Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) and Panel Reactive Antibody (PRA):These tests help determine the likelihood of success of an organ transplant by checking for antibodies in your blood. Some antibodies in the bloodstream may attack transplanted organs. Therefore, persons who receive a transplant take medications that decrease this rejection response. The higher your PRA, the more difficult it is to obtain a compatible kidney.  

Viral Studies: These tests determine if you have viruses that may increase the likelihood of rejecting the donor organ, or of you developing an infection after transplant. These include cytomegalovirus, HIV, hepatitis, etc.

2. Diagnostic tests need to be performed in order to understand your complete medical status and help determine if transplantation is the right option for you. You will undergo a number of diagnostic tests, some of which need to be performed on all patients, others are based on individual factors, such as age, sex and past medical history.

3. The transplant case manager is specially trained to evaluate the mental and social effects of transplantation, as well as the effects of chronic illness on the individual and family. Individual coping skills, stressors and support systems will be reviewed and evaluated to determine if additional resources will be needed.

The transplant team will consider all information from interviews, your medical history, psychological/social history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests in determining whether you are a candidate for transplantation.

Transplant List

After your evaluation and acceptance as a candidate for transplant, you will be placed on the appropriate United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) waiting list to await your transplant. Or, if you have a living kidney donor, you will be scheduled for a living donor kidney transplant.

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