A new approach to kidney matching could save lives
Although more than 100,000 people are on the national transplant waiting list in the U.S., thousands of donated kidneys are discarded each year, often because they're slightly older, with fewer years of remaining function.
A new study from Virginia Tech and other institutions suggests that a modified kidney transplant system could save lives and reduce waste. Currently, over 100,000 people are on the U.S. transplant waiting list, but thousands of donated kidneys are discarded each year due to inefficiencies in matching older organs with older patients.
Researchers propose a targeted priority mechanism, inspired by the Eurotransplant Senior Program, which would prioritize kidneys from older adults for patients aged 65 or older, offering them a chance to be prioritized on the waiting list in exchange for giving up access to other kidneys. This approach could lead to more than 900 additional kidney transplants annually and potentially prevent over 190 deaths.
By improving access to harder-to-place kidneys, the system would preserve longer-lasting kidneys for other patients. The research combines mathematical analysis with a computer simulation of the U.S. kidney allocation system to predict the impact of this voluntary program's rules. The next step is to engage the transplant community in discussions and practical program designs.
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