Evaldo Favi1, Ajith James2, Carmelo Puliatti3, Phil Whatling2, Mariano Ferraresso4,5, Chiara Rui4, Roberto Cacciola6. 1. Renal Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza n. 35, 20122, Milan, Italy. evaldofavi@gmail.com. 2. Nephrology, Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, Whitechapel Rd, London, E1 1BB, UK. 3. Organ Transplantation, Parma University Hospital, Via A. Gramsci 14, 43126, Parma, Italy. 4. Renal Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza n. 35, 20122, Milan, Italy. 5. Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122, Milan, Italy. 6. HPB and Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Viale Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Delayed graft function (DGF) is considered a risk factor for rejection after kidney transplantation (KTx). Clinical guidelines recommend weekly allograft biopsy until DGF resolves. However, who may benefit the most from such an aggressive policy and when histology should be evaluated remain debated. METHODS: We analyzed 223 biopsies in 145 deceased donor KTx treated with basiliximab or anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) and calcineurin inhibitor-based maintenance. The aim of the study was to assess the utility and safety of biopsies performed within 28 days of transplant. Relationships between transplant characteristics, indication, timing, and biopsy-related outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Main indication for biopsy was DGF (87.8%) followed by lack of improvement in graft function (9.2%), and worsening graft function (3.1%). Acute tubular necrosis was the leading diagnosis (89.8%) whereas rejection was detected in 8.2% specimens. Rejection was more frequent in patients biopsied due to worsening graft function or lack of improvement in graft function than DGF (66.7% vs. 3.5%; P = 0.0075 and 33.3% vs. 3.5%; P = 0.0104, respectively) and in biopsies performed between day 15 and 28 than from day 0 to 14 (31.2% vs. 3.7%; P = 0.0002). Complication rate was 4.1%. Management was affected by the information gained with histology in 12.2% cases (7% considering DGF). CONCLUSIONS: In low-immunological risk recipients treated with induction and calcineurin inhibitors maintenance, protocol biopsies obtained within 2 weeks of surgery to rule out rejection during DGF do not necessarily offer a favourable balance between risks and benefits. In these patients, a tailored approach may minimize complications thus optimizing results.
INTRODUCTION: Delayed graft function (DGF) is considered a risk factor for rejection after kidney transplantation (KTx). Clinical guidelines recommend weekly allograft biopsy until DGF resolves. However, who may benefit the most from such an aggressive policy and when histology should be evaluated remain debated. METHODS: We analyzed 223 biopsies in 145 deceased donor KTx treated with basiliximab or anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) and calcineurin inhibitor-based maintenance. The aim of the study was to assess the utility and safety of biopsies performed within 28 days of transplant. Relationships between transplant characteristics, indication, timing, and biopsy-related outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Main indication for biopsy was DGF (87.8%) followed by lack of improvement in graft function (9.2%), and worsening graft function (3.1%). Acute tubular necrosis was the leading diagnosis (89.8%) whereas rejection was detected in 8.2% specimens. Rejection was more frequent in patients biopsied due to worsening graft function or lack of improvement in graft function than DGF (66.7% vs. 3.5%; P = 0.0075 and 33.3% vs. 3.5%; P = 0.0104, respectively) and in biopsies performed between day 15 and 28 than from day 0 to 14 (31.2% vs. 3.7%; P = 0.0002). Complication rate was 4.1%. Management was affected by the information gained with histology in 12.2% cases (7% considering DGF). CONCLUSIONS: In low-immunological risk recipients treated with induction and calcineurin inhibitors maintenance, protocol biopsies obtained within 2 weeks of surgery to rule out rejection during DGF do not necessarily offer a favourable balance between risks and benefits. In these patients, a tailored approach may minimize complications thus optimizing results.
Authors: Markus Weber; Daniel Dindo; Nicholas Demartines; Patrice M Ambühl; Pierre-Alain Clavien Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2002-07-25 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Magda Michalak; Kristien Wouters; Erik Fransen; Rachel Hellemans; Amaryllis H Van Craenenbroeck; Marie M Couttenye; Bart Bracke; Dirk K Ysebaert; Vera Hartman; Kathleen De Greef; Thiery Chapelle; Geert Roeyen; Gerda Van Beeumen; Marie-Paule Emonds; Daniel Abramowicz; Jean-Louis Bosmans Journal: World J Transplant Date: 2017-10-24