During your kidney transplant evaluation, we look carefully at your medical and personal circumstances, and we compare them to established guidelines. The guidelines help us identify risks and concerns, but they also leave room for our doctors’ judgment, based on their knowledge and experience.
Some of the Factors We Consider
Even if you think some items on this list might rule you out, don’t assume you’re not a candidate. Instead, contact us to request an evaluation. Our transplant experts will consider your unique situation and let you know whether a transplant might be safe and beneficial for you.
Here are some of the things we look for in kidney transplant candidates:
- Kidney failure stage: eGFR below 20mL/min/1.73m2
- Younger than 70 years OR older than 70 years with either a potential living donor or 1+ years of dialysis
- Consistent and reliable caregivers who can provide transportation and help you get essential medications
- Ability to get to Duke University Hospital quickly after we notify you of an available kidney
- Resources to support your post-transplant care, including medication, travel, lodging, and medical device expenses
If you have HIV, we also look for:
- CD4 count consistently greater than 200
- Clinical approval by a Duke infectious disease doctor