Software Helps Find Matches for Kidney Transplants
California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco is using a new software program to find recipients for kidney paired donations, the Fresno Bee reports.
Kidney paired donations involve two donors and two patients who are cross-matched so compatible kidneys can be exchanged. The method is aimed at reducing the waiting list for kidney transplants.
Mark Stegall, chair of the transplant kidney committee for the United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement Transplant Network, said kidney exchanges could increase by several hundred the number of available kidneys nationwide in the next two to three years.
Steven Katznelson, medical director of the kidney and pancreas transplant programs at CPMC, said the hospital hopes to do a kidney paired donation monthly or bimonthly. The hospital since February has completed seven transplants through the exchange.
Katznelson said kidneys from living donors last an average of 20 years, or 50% longer than kidneys from deceased donors.
The computer software compares millions of variables to cross-match patients for blood types and proteins on blood cells that are compatible for a kidney exchange (Anderson, Fresno Bee, 5/17).