Outcomes after transplantation of deceased-donor kidneys with rising serum creatinine

The increasing number of candidates for kidney transplantation and relatively unchanged deceased-donor pool has led to expansion in the criteria for donor acceptability. Outcomes of kidneys from donors with progressively rising creatinine values have not been reported. Patients transplanted between September 2003 and August 2006 with kidneys from donors with peak creatinine levels > 2.0 mg/dL were stratified into two groups based on the terminal creatinine and evaluated for outcome: (1) falling creatinine (FC)(n = 27), terminal creatinine at least 0.2mg/dL less than peak, and (2) rising creatinine (RC)(n = 24), terminal creatinine = peak. The mean terminal creatinine was significantly higher in the RC group (3.2 +/- 1.3 mg/dL) compared to the FC group (1.9 +/- 0.9 mg/dL)(p < 0.0001). Peak creatinine values were similar (RC, 3.2 +/- 1.3; FC, 3.1 +/- 1.3; p = 0.6521) between the two groups. Rates of delayed graft function (RC, 24%; FC 32%; p = 0.7881) and mean creatinine at follow-up (RC, 1.6 +/- 0.6, FC 1.6 +/- 0.4; p = 0.3533) were not significantly different. With a mean follow-up of 287 +/- 274 days, allograft survival was 92% in the RC recipients and 89% in the FC recipients. Under certain conditions, kidneys from donors with rising serum creatinine can be used safely with reasonable early outcomes.