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Extended Criteria Donor Kidneys — ESENeph MCQ

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ModerateTransplantationExtended Criteria Donor KidneysESENeph

A 50-year-old man with ESKD receives a kidney from an extended criteria donor (ECD) – a 68-year-old donor with hypertension and eGFR 60. How do extended criteria donor kidneys compare to standard criteria donor kidneys?

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Correct answer: A — ECD kidneys have lower graft survival than standard criteria kidneys but still provide significantly better survival than remaining on dialysis; they expand the donor pool and reduce waiting time

Extended criteria donor (ECD) kidneys – from donors aged >60, or >50 with additional risk factors (hypertension, cardiovascular disease, elevated creatinine) – have lower graft survival than standard criteria donor kidneys. However, multiple large studies confirm that transplantation with ECD kidneys provides significantly better patient survival compared to remaining on dialysis and waiting for an SCD kidney. ECD kidneys expand the donor pool, particularly for older recipients who benefit most from reduced waiting time. Informed consent regarding expected outcomes is essential.

Reference: KDIGO 2020 – Transplant Candidate Evaluation; Merion et al 2005 – ECD Outcomes