In The News

Hopes raised for an increase in kidney transplants

Hopes raised for an increase in kidney transplants

New research has raised hopes of a major increase in the number of kidney transplant operations being performed across the country.

Only kidney’s taken from people who have been declared brain-dead, but whose hearts are still beating under life support, enter the national allocation system for transplant organs.

Around 700 people are believed to die each year while waiting for kidney transplants.

But now a study by Cambridge University has indicated that kidneys taken from patients who had irreversible brain damage, but whose hearts stopped after life-support was switched off, can be as good.

These are known as ‘cardiac death’ donors. Until now kidneys obtained in this way were regarded by doctors as a second-best option.

It is now hoped the study will lead to changes in the criterion used for making kidneys available for transplantation across the country.

Meanwhile people are encouraged to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.

 

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