Novel Potassium Binders for Early Postoperative Hyperkalemia in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Single-Center Experience.

Purpose: Evaluate the safety/efficacy of novel potassium binders (patiromer, sodium zirconium cyclosilicate [SZ-9]) for early postoperative hyperkalemia following kidney transplantation.

Methods: Retrospective, single-center, cohort study of deceased-donor kidney recipients transplanted between 1/2018 and 12/2020. Potassium-binder use was evaluated from immediately posttransplant until discharge.

Risks and Benefits of Kidney Transplantation during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Transplant or Not Transplant?

COVID-19 has significantly affected the transplant community, by leading to decreased transplant activity and increased waiting list time. As expected, COVID-19 causes substantial mortality in both ESKD and kidney transplant populations. This is due to underlying CKD and a high prevalence of comorbid conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease in this group.

Effect of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir on weight-adjusted tacrolimus trough/dose ratios in heart and kidney transplant recipients.

Objective: The pharmacokinetic implications of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) use on tacrolimus posttransplant are unknown. This study sought to investigate the effects of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P), a CYP3A4 substrate and inhibitor, on weight-adjusted tacrolimus (FK) trough/dose ratio (T/D) following heart or kidney transplantation.

Material And Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective analysis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremic donors to HCV negative heart or kidney transplant recipients who received 12 weeks of G/P therapy.

Native kidney small renal masses in patients with kidney transplants: Does chronic immunosuppression affect tumor biology?

Introduction: We compared clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of radical nephrectomy (RN) for small renal masses (SRM) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) before or after transplant at a high-volume urologic and transplant center.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients with ESRD (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] <15 mL/min) who underwent RN for suspected malignant SRM from 2000-2018. Group 1 consisted of patients who underwent RN after transplant; group 2 underwent RN prior to transplant, and group 3 underwent RN without subsequent transplant.

A Safe Anti-A2 Titer for a Successful A2 Incompatible Kidney Transplantation: A Single-center Experience and Review of the Literature.

Background: Kidney allocation system allows blood type B candidates accept kidneys from A2/A2B donors. There is no mandate by UNOS on which the anti-A2 level is acceptable. We aimed to investigate the safety of kidney transplant in blood group B patients with anti-A2 titers ≤16.

COVID-19 infection in kidney transplant recipients at the epicenter of pandemics.

We investigated the prevalence and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in recipients of kidney transplants in the Bronx, New York, one of the epicenters of the pandemic. Between March 16 and June 2, 2020, 132 kidney transplant recipients tested positive by SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR. From May 3 to July 29, 2020, 912 kidney transplant recipients were screened for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies during routine clinic visits, of which 16.

High terminal creatinine donors should not preclude simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplantation.

Background: Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK) in the setting of end-stage renal disease offers unmatched outcomes in insulin dependent diabetic patients. Donor pool expansion through the transplantation of kidneys with acute kidney injury (AKI) is controversial.

Methods: 59 SPK transplants were classified by presence of donor AKI, defined as donor terminal creatinine ≥ 1.

Commercial insurance delays direct-acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C kidney transplantation into uninfected recipients.

Introduction: The advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has created an avenue for transplantation of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected donors into uninfected recipients (D+/R-). The donor transmission of HCV is then countered by DAA administration during the post-operative period. However, initiation of DAA treatment is ultimately dictated by insurance companies.

Preoperative C-Peptide Predicts Weight Gain After Pancreas Transplantation.

Background: Transplant recipients are susceptible to cardiovascular complications, obesity, and increased insulin resistance after transplant. Here we assess weight gain in diabetic recipients after pancreas transplantation.

Methods: This is a single-center study of 32 simultaneous pancreas and kidney and 5 pancreas after kidney transplant recipients from 2014 to 2018.

The use of LCP-Tacrolimus (Envarsus XR) in simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplant recipients.

Background: Extended release LCP-tacrolimus (LCPT) allows once-daily dosing in transplant recipients. The improved bioavailability may be beneficial for simultaneous pancreas-kidney recipients (SPK).

Methods: This is a study of 39 SPK recipients on standard immediate-release tacrolimus (IR-TAC, n = 21) or LCPT (n = 18).

Transplantation of viral-positive hepatitis C-positive kidneys into uninfected recipients offers an opportunity to increase organ access.

The advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has provided the impetus to transplant kidneys from hepatitis C virus-positive donors into uninfected recipients (D+/R-). Thirty D+/R- patients received DAA treatment. Sustained virologic response (SVR12) was defined as an undetectable viral load in 12 weeks after treatment.

Young donors with severe acute kidney injury offer an opportunity to expand the donor pool.

Background: This study assessed our experience transplanting kidneys from young donors with severe acute kidney injury.

Methods: We performed a single center retrospective analysis of 315 kidney transplants between 1/1/2014-12/31/2016. Donor kidneys were classified according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria.

Molecular signatures and clinical outcomes of transplant glomerulopathy stratified by microvascular inflammation and donor-specific antibody.

Background: We investigated clinical outcomes and molecular signatures of transplant glomerulopathy (TG) stratified by microvascular inflammation (MVI) and donor-specific antibody (DSA) status.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 749 kidney transplant patients who received a for-cause kidney biopsy from 2009 to 2014. We classified TG as MVI positive (MVI+) or MVI negative (MVI-), and with or without DSA.

Hospital readmissions in diabetic kidney transplant recipients with peripheral vascular disease.

Background: The benefits of kidney transplantation in diabetic patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) are unclear. While patients may have improved survival compared to dialysis, the burden of care after transplant has not been assessed.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of adult diabetic kidney-only transplant recipients with and without PVD transplanted from January 2012 until June 30, 2015.

Improving pancreas graft utilization through importation.

Background: We analyze our outcomes utilizing imported allografts as a strategy to shorten wait list time for pancreas transplantation.

Methods: This is an observational retrospective cohort of 26 recipients who received either a locally procured (n = 16) or an imported pancreas graft (n = 10) at our center between January 2014 and May 2017. Wait list times of this cohort were compared to UNOS Region 9 (New York State and Western Vermont).

Safety and Efficacy of Treatment of Hepatitis C in Kidney Transplant Recipients With Directly Acting Antiviral Agents.

Background: With the development of all oral, interferon-free directly acting antiviral (DAA) medications, treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in renal transplant recipients is possible, but limited data exists on its safety and efficacy.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients transplanted at our center with HCV who have been started on DAAs. Primary endpoints included sustained virologic response as defined as negative viral load at 12 weeks postcompletion of therapy and allograft function.

Increased access to transplantation of highly sensitized patients under the new kidney allocation system. A single center experience.

We aimed to investigate the impact of the new kidney allocation system (KAS) on the rate of transplantation of sensitized patients at our center. Pre-KAS and post-KAS intervals were Jan 1st to Dec 3rd 2014 and Jan 1st 2015 to Dec 3rd 2015, respectively. The number of deceased-donor crossmatches performed by flow cytometry increased from 715 pre-KAS to 1188 post-KAS.

Pregnancy in sensitized kidney transplant recipients: a single-center experience.

Background: We aimed to examine the clinical outcomes of sensitized pregnant kidney transplant recipients.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of female patients who received kidney transplant at Montefiore transplant center between June 1, 2009 through December 31, 2014 and had a documented pregnancy in our system.

Results: We found that 11 women had pregnancies during this period with a median age of 36 yr (range 22, 39).