Excellent outcome using "impaired" standard criteria donors with elevated serum creatinine.

Introduction: To maximize organ utilization, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) encourages use of Expanded Criteria Donors (ECD). However, Standard Criteria Donors (SCD) may also be under-utilized, some centers discarding kidneys with serum creatinine (S.Cr) >2.

Successful rescue therapy with plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin for acute humoral renal transplant rejection.

Plasmapheresis (PP) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) remove donor-specific antibodies, a cause of acute humoral rejection (AHR). We describe the use of PP and IVIg as rescue therapy for AHR. The records of 143 renal transplants performed between October 1, 2000 and April 1, 2002 were reviewed.

Prevention of bone loss in renal transplant recipients: a prospective, randomized trial of intravenous pamidronate.

Renal transplant recipients are at risk of developing bone abnormalities that result in bone loss and bone fractures. These are related to underlying renal osteodystrophy, hypophosphatemia, and immunosuppressive treatment regimen. Although bisphosphonates are useful in ameliorating bone mineral loss after transplantation, it is not known whether their use in renal transplant patients leads to excessive suppression of bone turnover and increased incidence of adynamic bone disease.