Outcomes of renal transplant from donors with polycystic kidney disease

Kidneys from donors affected by autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) are, in general, considered unsuitable for transplantation. However, some authors report cases of patients who received kidneys from a deceased ADPKD donor showing encouraging outcomes. Our aim is to provide our experience of a patient with end stage renal failure who received a deceased donor kidney from a 29-year-old who themselves had been diagnosed with ADPKD but well maintained renal function, and to provide a comprehensive review of all the published literature. In addition to our case, a literature search (PubMed database, Embase, Cochrane Library) of articles published between 1980 and 2017 was performed. Sixteen cases were identified. Median donor age was 24 (range12–55) years old. Median recipient age was 46 (range 19–72) years old. Fifteen cases had a single kidney transplant and one case had a dual kidney transplant. 13/16 (81%) had immediate function, 2 patients (12.5%) had delayed graft function and one patient (6.25%) had primary non-function. Median graft follow up was 36 months (range 6–180). Median serum creatinine at last follow up was 124 μmol/L (range75–442). Thirteen patients (81%) were still alive with a working renal transplant at last follow up. The published literature is encouraging and supports the use of polycystic kidneys from younger deceased donors. Therefore, we believe that if kidneys from ADPKD donors are offered, they should have a full assessment and be considered acceptable for renal donation to recipients who may have a life expectancy of 10 years or less and who are fully informed and have the capacity to consent to receiving a polycystic kidney. •Good results of kidney transplants from ADPKD donors.•ADPKD should be considered as a marginal donors in kidney transplant.•ADPKD donors should be considered for appropriate recipients.