Evaluation and selection of potential live kidney donors

Purpose: Renal transplantation is an optimal therapy for patients with end stage kidney disease. A thorough evaluation of potential donors is necessary to provide the best functional outcome for recipients and ensure no or minimal morbidity for donors. Materials and Methods: Between 1992 and 2001, 1,661 ABO compatible potential living donors were evaluated clinically as well as by laboratory and imaging studies. Results: Of 1,661 potential donors 814 (49%) were excluded. The reasons for elimination were general medical reasons in 34.4% of cases, nephrological disorders in 25.6%, urological diseases in 11.7% and immunological causes in 16.2%. Exclusion on an ethical basis accounted for 12.2% of cases. Conclusions: Although kidneys from living donors provide the best functional outcome, 50% of potential candidates must be excluded.