On a yearly basis there are approximately 12,000 kidney transplants in the United States. Presently there are approximately 40,000 patients awaiting a transplant with only 5,000 available donors. Due to the obvious difference between organ supply and demand, live donors have become a standard source of kidneys for transplantation.

Research has proven that kidneys from living donors are superior to cadaveric donors (kidneys harvested from a deceased individual). Kidneys from living donors are not exposed to extremely low temperature that could increase post-operative problems. They are less likely to experience rejection and there is a decreased likelihood that a patient will have to undergo post-operative dialysis.

The objective of this study is to promote the enrollment of healthy individuals to serve as kidney donors for patients undergoing research kidney transplantation at the NIH. Potential donors will be screened to make sure they are able to survive with a single kidney without significant medical risk. Additional tests will be taken to establish compatibility with the recipient. Compatible donors will be evaluated to determine which kidney is suitable for transplantation. Both the donation and transplantation procedure will be conducted on the same day. Appropriate post-operative care and follow-up will be provided at the Clinical Center.

This protocol is designed to facilitate the enrollment of healthy individuals to serve as renal allograft donors for subjects undergoing protocol renal transplantation at the NIH. Donation will be allowed for altruistic purposes only.

• Cecka JM, Terasaki PI. The UNOS Scientific Renal Transplant Registry. Clin Transpl. 1993;:1-18.
• Cicciarelli J. Living donor kidney transplants. Clin Transpl. 1988;:293-9.
• Matas AJ, Gillingham KJ, Sutherland DE. Half-life and risk factors for kidney transplant outcome--importance of death with function. Transplantation. 1993 Apr;55(4):757-61.

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Willingness to donate without evidence of secondary gain, coercion, or conflict of interest.

Age greater than or equal to 18 years

ABO compatible with recipient

Normal renal function with a 24hr creatinine clearance greater than 80ml/min/1.73m(2).

Willingness and legal ability to give informed consent

Recipient is enrolled in a NIH protocol for transplantation or has been established as a candidate for receipt of an altruistic or paired donation through the Washington Regional Organ Procurement Agency donor program.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Hypertension

Pregnancy

History of stroke

Active tuberculosis

History of active malignancies except basal cell carcinoma of the skin.

Major anticipated illness or organ failure incompatible with survival after nephrectomy

Functionally significant coronary artery disease.

Active kidney stones

Proteinuria (greater than 250mg/24hr)