Preemptive Kidney Transplant: An Alternative to Dialysis
Once patients reach end-stage renal disease (ESRD), they have two options for renal replacement therapy available – chronic dialysis or kidney transplantation. Kidney transplantation has been proven to be the preferred treatment for individuals with ESRD, with recipients living longer, enjoying a higher quality of life, and utilizing less healthcare resources, compared to patients on maintenance dialysis (Gill et al. Transplantation 78:873–879, 2004). Preemptive kidney transplantation (PKT), defined as kidney transplantation prior to dialysis initiation, is believed to be of greatest benefit. Unfortunately, due to the scarce number of organs available, as well as the untimely referral of patients for a kidney transplant evaluation, the percentage of patients who benefit from PKT is lower than desired. With timely referral of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) to a nephrologist prior to dialysis initiation, these patients stand to benefit from the many advantages which PKT offers.
