Plasma Exchange and Intravenous Immunoglobulin in the Treatment of Antibody-Mediated Rejection After Kidney Transplantation: A Single-Center Historic Cohort Study

Abstract Background Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) of a kidney graft has been increasingly recognized as an important cause of graft failure. Our historic cohort study sought to analyze its treatment and outcomes at our center. Methods All patients with AMR between 2005 and 2011 were treated with plasma exchange (PE), intravenous low-dose cytomegalovirus (CMV) hyperimmune globulin, and adjustment of basal immunosuppression. We analyzed data regarding baseline characteristics, rejection treatment with focus on PE, complications, and 1-year outcomes. Results Twenty-three AMRs occurred in 23 patients (10 male, 13 female) of mean age 41 ± 16 years, all recipients of deceased-donor kidneys with a median of 3 HLA mismatches. The subjects had a median peak panel-reactive antibodies (PRA) of 7% (interquartile range [IQR] 1%–10%). Basal serum creatinine was 174 ± 84 μmol/L estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (eGFR 42 ± 22 mL/min/1.73 m2 ), while 3 patients were dialysis- dependent. Median period between transplantation and rejection was 38 months (IQR 1.5–88.5). Concomitant T-cell–mediated rejection was treated in 78% of cases. Median number of PE procedures per patient was 10 (range, 5–17). Treatment was estimated to be successful in 83%. Donor-specific antibodies documented in 12 patients (52%) disappeared or showed reduced titers in 7/10 patients with repeated measurements. An infection was present during treatment in 7 (30%) patients. Among 237 PE, there was 1 (0.4%) mild allergic reaction to fresh frozen plasma and significant metabolic alkalosis occurred after 7 (3%) procedures. One year after rejection the mean serum creatinine level was 144 ± 52 μmol/L and Kaplan-Meier estimated graft and patient survival rates were 62% and 95%, respectively. Conclusions Intensive treatment with PE, intravenous immunoglobulin, and adjustment of basal immunosuppression were safe and effective to reverse AMR with improved graft function in the majority of patients. However, AMR was associated with markedly decreased 1-year graft survival and the optimal treatment remains uncertain.