Patients who have high antibody levels that react to foreign tissue are considered sensitized. At Mayo, we have two experts in treating sensitized patients: Carrie Schinstock, MD, and Mark Stigall, MD. They’ve generated protocols and procedures to help sensitized patients receive transplants. The first step at Mayo is to meet with these providers to determine what degree of sensitization the patient has. These providers will create an individualized plan based on the needs of the patient. The first approach is generally to try to find a donor who has a reasonable match with the patient through the paired donation program. Sometimes we’re not able to find a perfect match, but at least a better match than what has been found in the past. In that case we may be able to use medications and procedures, such as plasmapheresis, to improve the optimization of that kidney even more.

Mayo Clinic treats patients from around the country and globe. Here is information about transplant costs and insurance information you may find helpful: http://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/transplant-center/kidney-transplant/choosing-mayo-clinic/costs-insurance-information. You can click the “contact us” button on the right-hand side of that page if you have additional questions.