Who can have a kidney transplant?

Many patients with kidney failure are suitable for a transplant, provided the right kidney can be found.

Various tests are required to determine if the transplanted kidney is well matched to the recipient in terms of blood group and tissue type.

Patients who might not be considered are those with serious heart disease or cancer. This is because they are not suitable candidates for any surgery or the drugs used to prevent rejection of the transplanted kidney can aggravate or advance these diseases.

Patients are more likely to cope physically with a transplant operation if they are a healthy weight and do not have raised blood pressure. Safer methods of immunosuppression have enhanced consideration of elderly and high medical risk candidates.