Connect
Pre-Transplant Transfusions
My nephew in Colorado needs a kidney transplant due to Alport Syndrome. He has a living donor ready to go. It’s being held up because his red blood cell count is low. He’s been told that a blood transfusion would reduce the odds of a successful transplant to 50-50, even if the transfusion comes from the donor. He’s chosen to get treated for the low count with an injection to boost it. He’ll only do a transfusion as a last resort.
In layman terms, can you help me understand why a blood transfusion causes an increased risk of rejection in a kidney transplant.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.
Connect
@tjdog, I am not familiar with Alport Syndrome. So I looked it up and I found this statement on the site of the American Association of Kidney Patients: "Alport syndrome is a rare genetic disease that damages the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys".
My best guess, as a patient, is that the injection will cause less stress to the already fragile blood vessels to his already damaged kidney.
https://aakp.org/center-for-patient-research-and-education/causes-of-disease/alport/
I hope that he gets satisfactory results, and will be able to undergo his transplant surgery in the near future.
What has his transplant team said about when his transplant might be scheduled? Is he in hospital?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI think the problem with transfusions and transplants is not exclusive to any specific disease. From what I’ve read, it’s a problem regardless of the cause of kidney failure.
What I don’t understand is why. The explanations I’ve read are confusing. It’s the answer to “why” that I’m seeking.
@tjdog I believe the reason they frown on transfusions prior to a kidney transplant is the chance of infection, and introducing components into the recipient's system that would lead to all new testing for a donor.
Ginger
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions