Factors influencing morbidity and mortality of renal transplantation in a high risk population

A group of 37 patients with 39 renal transplants were studied in which 32 were considered at high risk by well defined cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, cerebral vascular or pulmonary disease or age categories. Three of the 37 patients died, and 2 patients in the high risk group died. Kidney transplant survival rate for the entire group is 84% and for the high risk group, 92%. Eighty eight % of the entire group have functioning kidneys at present, and 93% of those in the high risk group have functioning kidneys. Evaluation of pretransplant mixed lymphocyte cultures, histocompatibility locus A antigen, and immune responder status; close followup observation of lymphocyte culture and humoral responses by in vitro testing; and the use of antilymphoblast globulin are considered to be the reasons for the improved results.