Kidney transplantation

Abstract:

Kidney transplantation is a well-established method for treating patients with end-stage kidney disease. The survival of patients after kidney transplantation is better than survival of those on the waiting list. Therefore, the program of kidney transplantation has to be supported and improved. Team work and close collaboration between different specialties is strongly recommended, because most of these patients have numerous severe comorbidities. The main problem in transplantation medicine is the organ shortage. Advanced medical knowledge, technology, coordination of different subspecialties and strong support from the government and insurance companies, in addition to a wellfunctioning network of procurement coordinators, have led to a remarkable and continuous increase in the number of kidney transplants. Today, Croatia is ranked eleventh in the world for the number of transplantations. It is imperative to continue educating both patients and public about the importance of organ donation in order to increase the number of transplants both from deceased and living donors. Although our hospital center accepts organs from donors according to expanded donor criteria, the results are similar or even better than that in many other centers, even in developed countries. 

Key words:
graft rejection; immunosuppressive agents; organ donors; kidney transplantation