This document provides guidance on evaluating and screening potential renal transplant recipients. It discusses: 1. General concepts to consider include referring all end-stage renal disease patients for transplant evaluation once renal replacement therapy is needed within 12 months, and encouraging preemptive kidney transplantation when feasible. 2. The evaluation process involves assessing medical history and conditions, performing initial screening tests, and evaluating any cardiovascular, infectious, or other systemic diseases to identify any absolute contraindications to transplantation or conditions requiring further treatment and monitoring. 3. Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death for transplant recipients, so candidates undergo cardiac screening and testing based on risk factors to clear them for surgery or identify any need for pre-operative cardiac

1. Evaluation and
management of
potential renal
transplant recipient
Chaken Maniyan M.D.
Nephrology Fellow, Phramongkutklao Hospital
25.11.2016

2. Scope
§ General concepts
§ Timing for referral
§ Indication/contraindication
§ Focused medical condition
§ CVD/infection/malignancy
§ Urologic evaluation
§ Pretransplant Nephrectomy

3. Reference guideline

4. General considerations
§All patients with ERSD should be considered for
kidney transplantation provided no absolute
contraindications exist (Grade A).
2005 Canadian Society of Transplantation consensus guidelines on eligibility for kidney transplantation

5. Survival advantage during 1990s
comparing among different age
6th edition Kidney transplantation: principles and practice

6. Role of preemptive KT
6th edition Kidney transplantation: principles and practice

7. Preemptive kidney
transplantation
§The preferred form of RRT and should be encouraged
where feasible (Grade A).
§Not proceed unless GFR < 20 mL/minute and
evidence of progressive and irreversible deterioration
in renal function over previous 6–12 months.
§Exceptions may be made for patients receiving
combined organ transplants where a kidney transplant
is combined with a non-renal organ
2005 Canadian Society of Transplantation consensus guidelines on eligibility for kidney transplantation

8. Pre-transplantation
§Patient referral
§Patient assessment
§Pre-Transplant Immunization
§Patient approval
§Patient status while waiting
§Donor Selection (LivingVS Deceased)
§Kidney Organ Offering and Allocation
Canadian Clinical Guidelines for Kidney Transplantation, revised on Jan 29, 2015

9. Time for referral
§Potential transplant recipients should be referred for
evaluation by a transplant program once renal
replacement therapy is expected to be required within
the next 12 months (Grade C).
§Patients already requiring dialysis support should be
referred for transplant evaluation as soon as their
medical condition stabilizes (Grade C).
2005 Canadian Society of Transplantation consensus guidelines on eligibility for kidney transplantation

10. Renal transplant candidate
evaluation process
Kasiske BL, et al.. Am J Transplant 2001;1823

11. Patient Education and Consent
§ Patient education is core of process
§ Transplant evaluation implies not only the medical
assessment of potential recipient by the transplantation
team but also the assessment by the patients of
transplant option and its relevance to their well-being.

12. Absolute contraindications
§ Active infections
§ Active malignancy.
§ Active substance abuse
§ Reversible renal failure
§ Uncontrolled psychiatric disease.
§ Documented active and ongoing treatment nonadherence.
§A significantly shortened life expectancy < 1 yr
2005 Canadian Society of Transplantation consensus guidelines on eligibility for kidney transplantation

13. Age and functional capacity
§Advanced age per se is not a contraindication to
kidney transplantation (Grade B).
§Very young age and small size should not prevent early
referral for transplant evaluation (Grade B).
§Cognitive or neurodevelopmental delay is not an
absolute contraindication to renal transplantation in
children (Grade B).
2005 Canadian Society of Transplantation consensus guidelines on eligibility for kidney transplantation

14. US 2014 Scientific Registry of
Transplant Recipients (SRTR) report

15. Initial evaluation
§ History and Physical Examination
§ Determine cause of underlying renal disease
§ Estimation of urine output
§ Result of kidney biopsy if available
§ Family history (ADPKD, Alport syndrome)
§ Potentially recurring renal diseases after transplantation
§ Symptoms of cardiac disease
§ Risk factors for CAD (DM , smoking, DLP, dyslipidemia, premature
death in family)
§ History of claudication
§ Hx possible exposure to tuberculosis and other infection, previous
treatment

16. Initial evaluation
§Evidence of CHF, carotid artery disease, and PVD
§Presence of femoral bruits and poor peripheral pulses (may further pelvic
vasculature with either a Doppler US or MRA )

17. Initial screening studies
§ ABO group, CBC, BUN, Cr, electrolytes, calcium, phosphorous, albumin, LFTs
prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, iPTH, and HbA1c (for diabetic
patients).
§ Pregnancy test for fertile women.
§ Serology for varicella, measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. If a potential
recipient is found to be nonimmune to these common childhood diseases
(vaccinated prior to KT)
§ Serologic testing for HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb) and HCV
§ Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing , panel reactive antibody (PRA)
§ Urinalysis and urine culture
§ Drug screen.

18. Initial screening studies —
§CXR to exclude tuberculosis/effusion/mass
§ECG
§All men : testicular examination.
§Male >50 years à PSA and DRE (Ealier if strong family history)
§Breast examination and Papanicolaou smear.
§Women > 40 years: mammogram
§Mammography; the age for mammography should be lowered to 35 years if
there is a history of breast cancer in the premenopausal years in a first-degree
relative.
§ All patients >50 years: screening colonoscopy
§ Patients who have Hx of Barrett’s esophagus should have EGD
§ Abdominal and pelvic ultrasounds

19. Systemic conditions
§Severe hyperparathyroidism : parathyroidectomy prior to transplantation
§Primary oxalosis should be evaluated for combined kidney-liver transplantation.
§Systemic amyloidosis, esp cardiac involvement, may not be candidates for renal
transplant due to high mortality
§anti-GBM disease should be considered for KT if circulating anti-GBM antibody
is undetectable and they have quiescent disease (off cytotoxic agents) for at
least 6 months post-treatment
§SLE should be considered for renal transplantation if they have clinically
quiescent disease for at least 6 months off cytotoxic agents
§Renal transplant candidates with vasculitis (Wegener’s granulomatosis,
microscopic polyangiitis, pauci-immune necrotizing glomerulonephritis, Henoch-
Schonlein purpura) should be considered for renal transplantation if they have
quiescent disease for at least 12 months off cytotoxic agents
2005 Canadian Society of Transplantation consensus guidelines on eligibility for kidney transplantation

20. Specific conditions
§ Cardiovascular disease (CAD, heart failure)
§ Infection
§ Gastrointestinal disease
§ Cerebrovascular disease
§ Peripheral vascular disease
§ Pulmonary disease
§ Malignancy
§ Patients with a history of cancer
§ Abnormal lower urinary tract
§ Hematologic disorders
§ Obesity
§ Psychosocial issues
§ Frailty

21. Cardiovascular disease
§ Leading cause of death after KT
§ Major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients on
waiting list
Kasiske BL, Maclean JR, Snyder J. J Am Soc Nephrol 2006; 17:900.

22. CVD Relative contraindications to KT:
§ Progressive symptoms of angina or severe CAD that
not amenable to angioplasty or bypass surgery
§ History of MI within 3-6 months
§ Severe ischemic cardiomyopathy (LVEF <30%)
Kasiske BL, Malik MA, Herzog CA. Risk-stratified screening for ischemic heart disease in kidney transplant candidates.
Transplantation 2015; 80:815.

23. Cardiac evaluation
§ALL patients with
§Angina or
§Reduced LVEF or
§T1DM with DN as a cause of ESRD or
§Positive noninvasive stress test
§Refer for cardiology evaluation and angiography
K/DOQI Workgroup. K/DOQI clinical practice guidelines for CVD in dialysis pts. Am J Kidney Dis 2005; 45:S1.

24. Cardiac evaluation
§In patients without previous criteria with
§ Age >60 years
§ Diabetes mellitus
§ Hypertension
§ Dyslipidemia
§ Peripheral vascular disease
§ Previous history of CHD (such as myocardial infarction)
§ Left ventricular hypertrophy
§ Family history of heart disease
§ Dialysis vintage greater than one year
§ Prolonged duration of CKD
§ History of smoking
§ History of radiation therapy (either whole body or chest irradiation)
K/DOQI Workgroup. K/DOQI clinical practice guidelines for CVD in dialysis pts. Am J Kidney Dis 2005; 45:S1.
NEED 3 criteria

25. Cardiac evaluation
§Patients with ≥3 clinical risk factors or diabetes, or PAD
§Screening with noninvasive test, such as
a dobutamine stress echocardiogram or myocardial
perfusion study
§Dobutamine stress echocardiogram and thallium myocardial
perfusion scan both have moderate sensitivity and specificity
among kidney transplant candidates
§Pts with negative noninvasive stress test who have diabetes
or previous hx of CHD à repeat noninvasive test annually
§If LVEF ≤40 % , PAD , or ≥2 traditional risk factors, we
repeat noninvasive testing every 2 years
K/DOQI Workgroup. K/DOQI clinical practice guidelines for CVD in dialysis pts. Am J Kidney Dis 2005; 45:S1.

26. Decision tree pre-transplant
cardiovascular screening
European Renal Best Practice Guideline on kidney donor and recipient evaluation and
perioperative care, Nephrol Dial Transplant (2015) 30: 1790–1797

28. Infection
§ Patient should be free of all untreated, active infection
before transplantation.
§Dental infections should be treated prior KT
§Peritonitis, tunnel infections and vascular access-
related infections should be fully treated before
transplantation

29. Tuberculosis
§ Obtaining clinical history regarding risk factors,
duration and type of prior tuberculous therapy
§ Review of recent chest X ray
§ It is less clear whether prophylaxis reduces the
incidence of reactivation of tuberculosis.
§However most centres currently require pre- or post-
transplant prophylaxis in patients with a positive test in
the absence of prior treatment, provided there are no
contraindications to therapy

31. Screening solid organ transplant
candidates for latent tuberculosis
Ferguson TW et al Transplantation. 2015;99(5):1084.

32. Indication for latent TB treament
§ Initial or boosted TST with induration ≥5 mm or a
positive IGRA
§History of untreated latent TB
§Receiving an organ from a donor known to have
untreated latent TB
§recent close and prolonged contact with an individual
with active TB
§Chest radiographic evidence suggestive of previous TB
(apical fibronodular lesions, calcified solitary nodule,
calcified lymph nodes, or pleural thickening)
Ferguson TW et al Transplantation. 2015;99(5):1084.

33. Regimen of Latent TB
treatment
§ Oral isoniazid 5 mg/kg (maximum dose 300 mg) daily
§For 9 month
§ Oral pyridoxine (B6) 25-50 mg daily should be used
§ Alternative regimens :
§rifampin 600 mg PO daily for four months
§isoniazid plus rifapentine for 12 weeks
Blumberg HM,. JAMA 2005; 293:2776.

34. Strongyloides
§ Hyperinfestation syndrome (hemorrhagic
enterocolitis, pneumonia, gram-negative or mixed
bacteremia, or meningitis) may emerge
§Empirical pretransplantation therapy of
Strongyloidesseropositive recipients (ivermectin)
prevents such infections

35. HIV infection
§HIV per se in not a contra-indication for kidney transplantation.
(1C)
§Wait-listing HIV patients only if
§ 1) they are compliant with treatment, particularly HAART
therapy
§ 2) their CD4+ T cell counts are > 200/µL and have been stable
during the previous 3 months
§ 3) HIV RNA was undetectable during the previous 3 months
§ 4) no opportunistic infections occurred during the previous 6
months
§ 5) they show no signs compatible with progressive multifocal
leukoencephalopathy, chronic intestinal cryptosporidiosis, or
lymphoma. (1C)
ERBP GUIDELINE ON KIDNEY DONOR AND RECIPIENT EVALUATION AND PERIOPERATIVE CARE

36. Immunization

37. Guidelines for Vaccinating Dialysis Patients and Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease summarized from Center of disease control 2012

38. HBV Vaccination
§Dose : double standard dosage in a 4 dose schedule for
hemodialysis patients and other immunocompromised
adults (age ≥20 years) patients administered in 1 or 2
injections
§Serologic testing performed 1-2 months after
administration of the last dose of the vaccine series by
using a method that allows determination of a
protective level of anti-HBs (e.g., >10 mIU/mL)
§Persons found to have anti-HBs levels of < 10 mIU/mL
repeat 4 double dose vaccination and serologic test
Guidelines for Vaccinating Dialysis Patients and Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease summarized from Center of disease control 2012

39. Malignancy

40. Malignancy screening
§Screening kidney transplant candidates for cancer
recommendations that apply to the general population
§Screening kidney cancer by ultrasound
§Screening urothelial cancer by urinary cytology and
cystoscopy
§HCV and HBV-infected screening presence of HCC
according to the EASL-EORTC Clinical Practice Guideline
on the management of hepatocellularcarcinoma
§Current or previous cancer be discussed with an oncologist
and considered on a case-by-case basis.
2015 European Renal Best Practice Guideline on kidney donorand recipient evaluation and perioperative care

41. Breast Cancer: mammography
§Sensitivity 56-95%
§Lower in younger, dense breasts, HRT
§Specificity 94-97%
§More false positives (less specific) in younger women
§Abnormal mammogram & chance of cancer:
§40-49: 2-4% PPV
§50-59: 5-9%
§60+: 7-19%
2013 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

42. Breast Cancer
§The USPSTF recommends screening mammography, with or
without clinical breast examination (CBE), every 1-2 years for
women aged 40 and older.
B recommendation
2013 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

43. Cervical Cancer
§The USPSTF strongly recommends screening for cervical
cancer in women who have been sexually active and have a
cervix.
A recommendation
2013 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

44. Cervical Cancer
§The USPSTF recommends against routinely screening women
older than age 65 for cervical cancer if they have had adequate
recent screening with normal Pap smears and are not
otherwise at high risk for cervical cancer .
D recommendation
2013 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

45. Colorectal Cancer - DRE
§Little evidence
§Sensitivity much less than multiple test cards
§False negatives – no stool in vault
§False positives – rectal trauma
§Therefore, not recommended as a tool for colorectal cancer
screening
2012 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

46. Colorectal Cancer - FOBT
§sensitivity 26 - 92%, specificity 90-99%
§Annual screening has detected 49% of incident cancers
§FOBT: 33% reduction in mortality over controls
§inexpensive
2012 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

47. Colorectal Cancer
§The USPSTF strongly recommends that clinicians screen men
and women 50 years of age or older for colorectal cancer.
A recommendation
2012 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

48. Colorectal Cancer
§Other considerations:
§ Family history of colon cancer <60: test earlier
§ “The choice of screening strategy should be based on
patient preferences, medical contraindications, patient
adherence, and resources for testing and followup.”
(USPSTF)
§ Timing (American Cancer Society)
§ FOBT: yearly
§ Sigmoid: every 5 years
§ DCBE: every 5 years
§ Colonoscopy: every 10 years
§ (One-in-a-lifetime after age 55)
2012 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

49. Prostate Cancer
§The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concludes
that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against
routine screening for prostate cancer using prostate specific
antigen (PSA) testing or digital rectal examination (DRE).
“I” recommendation
2012 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

50. Lung cancer
§The USPSTF recommends annual screening for lung
cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT)
in adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year
smoking history and currently smoke or have quit
within the past 15 years.
§Screening should be discontinued once a person has
not smoked for 15 years or develops a health problem
that substantially limits life expectancy or the ability or
willingness to have curative lung surgery.
2012 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

52. Suggested
Disease-Free
Time Intervals
before KT
6th edition Kidney transplantation: principles and practice

53. Recurrent renal disease

54. Risks of Recurrence of Renal Disease after
Transplantation and Risks of Graft Loss as a
Result of Recurrence,
6th edition Kidney transplantation: principles and practice

55. Stroke
§ Older patients with risk factors such as (history of
TIA , HT, cigarette smoking, and DLP should be
carefully examined for carotid stenosis)
§ Perform a screening MRA in all transplant candidates
with ADPKD who have a history of headaches or a
family history of aneurysm
§If aneurysms >7-10 mm à neurosurgical evaluation
prior to transplant

56. Peripheral vascular disease
§ Increased risk of amputation , allograft ischemia,
significant morbidity, and poor patient survival
§ Femoral, pedal pulses should be assessed esp. diabetes,
CVD or history of PAD
§Severe bilateral iliac or lower-extremity arterial disease
or large abdominal aneurysms that are
contraindications to transplantation
§Options to assess vasculature include Doppler vascular
studies ,Abdominal radiograph and/or noncontrast CT
for iliac calcification to guide ptimal allograft placement

57. Pulmonary disease
§Following clinical features should not be candidates for kidney transplantation
§ Home oxygen therapy requirement.
§ Uncontrolled asthma.
§ Severe cor pulmonale or uncorrectable moderate to severe pulmonary
hypertension.
§ Severe chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease/pulmonary fibrosis/restrictive disease.
§ This is defined by best FEV1 <25 percent predictive value,
§ PO2 room air <60 mmHg with exercise desaturation SaO2 <90 percent,
§ more than four lower respiratory tract infections in the last 12 months,
§ In addition to the above contraindications, candidates with uncorrectable
moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension may not be eligible for
kidney transplant.
2005 Canadian Society of Transplantation consensus guidelines on eligibility for kidney transplantation

58. Obesity
§ Defined by a BMI >30 kg/m2 are at increased risk for
adverse outcomes including delayed graft function,
surgical complications including poor wound healing
and infection and NODAT
§Weight loss prior to KT is often recommended,
although there are no data that demonstrate a benefit
of this intervention
2005 Canadian Society of Transplantation consensus guidelines on eligibility for kidney transplantation

59. Urologic evaluation

60. Abnormal urogenital tract
§ESRD is caused by either a congenital or acquired
malformation (neurogenic bladder) should be corrected
before transplantation
§Avoid ureteral implantation in a fibrotic, thickened bladder
wall (e.g. following a urethral valve) because of the high risk
of surgical complications and/or graft loss
§In low-compliance bladders, pharmacological therapy (e.g.
parasympathicolysis), with or without intermittent self-
catheterisation
§If these methods fail, bladder augmentation is
recommended
Guidelines on Renal Transplantation, European Association of Urology 2014

61. Indications for pre-transplant
nephrectomy
Guidelines on Renal Transplantation, European Association of Urology 2014

62. Thank you for your attention