Kidney Transplant
"The main advantages of live donation are that it shortens the waiting time and that it is the organ of a very healthy person".
DR. PALOMA MARTÍN MORENO SPECIALIST. NEPHROLOGY DEPARTMENT
What is a kidney transplant?
A kidney transplant is the treatment of choice for advanced chronic kidney disease: it involves implanting a healthy kidney from a deceased or living donor to restore kidney function and improve quality of life.
The surgery, which lasts approximately 3–4 hours, connects the transplanted kidney to the blood vessels and urinary system, and requires lifelong immunosuppressive medication and regular medical check-ups to prevent rejection and ensure safety.
At our Pamplona campus, the reference center in Navarra, we perform kidney transplants from deceased donors as well as living-donor programs, including ABO-incompatible transplants, following a comprehensive evaluation of both the recipient and the donor.
The procedure is carried out through a multidisciplinary approach and a structured pre- and post-transplant follow-up, aimed at optimizing graft survival and long-term quality of life.
When is a kidney transplant indicated?
A kidney transplant is indicated for people with chronic kidney disease in advanced stages, either before starting dialysis or at any time during renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis).
Before being added to the waiting list, patients must complete a comprehensive medical evaluation to confirm their suitability for the procedure.
Pre-transplant evaluation before listing
- Immunological study: HLA typing, anti-HLA antibodies, and compatibility testing.
- Imaging tests: ultrasound, radiologic studies, and other exams as clinically indicated.
- Cardiovascular assessment: evaluation of surgical risk and ischemic events.
- Pulmonary assessment: respiratory function and screening for active disease.
- Neurological assessment: history and neurological status that may affect postoperative recovery.
- Urological assessment: evaluation of the urinary tract and feasibility for ureteral anastomosis.
- Other areas: infection status, nutritional condition, and psychosocial support.
Who might not be eligible candidates?
- Severe, uncontrolled heart disease that significantly increases surgical risk.
- Active cancer without the recommended disease-free interval.
- Uncontrolled chronic infections or a high risk of opportunistic infection.
- Other medical conditions that, in the opinion of the medical team, pose a disproportionate risk compared to the potential benefit.
Eligibility requirements according to the type of donation
Deceased-donor transplant:
- Residency in Navarra and enrollment in the Navarra Health System are required.
- The evaluation request must be submitted by the patient’s nephrologist.
Living-donor transplant:
- Residency in Navarra is not required; the procedure can be performed on non-residents.
- In all cases, the process must comply with Spanish legislation governing organ donation and transplantation.
Do you have advanced chronic kidney disease?
You may need a kidney transplant
Learn more about kidney transplantation
Types of Kidney Transplant
Depending on the source of the donated kidney, the transplant can be classified as:
- Living related donor: when the kidney comes from a direct family member (parents, children, siblings, or cousins).
- Living unrelated donor: when the donor has an emotional bond with the recipient (such as a partner).
- Deceased donor: the kidney comes from a donor with brain death or circulatory death.
The best outcomes are achieved with living-donor transplants, as the surgery can be scheduled in advance and the graft’s ischemia time minimized.
Kidney transplant outcomes
Currently, kidney transplant outcomes are excellent, with the best survival rates observed in living-donor kidney transplants.
The main causes of long-term graft loss include chronic rejection, infections, and cardiovascular diseases, among others.
Benefits of kidney transplantation
A kidney transplant not only replaces the kidney’s filtration function but also restores the production of key hormones such as erythropoietin (which stimulates red blood cell production) and vitamin D (essential for bone health).
In addition, compared with dialysis, it offers:
- Improved quality of life and greater physical and emotional well-being.
- Fewer dietary restrictions and greater independence.
- Reduced risk of complications related to dialysis.
- Better long-term survival outcomes.
Possible Complications of Kidney Transplant
As with any surgical procedure, a kidney transplant carries certain risks, such as:
- Immediate complications: urinary obstruction, infections, acute rejection.
- Long-term complications: high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, infections, chronic rejection, and in some cases, cardiovascular disease or tumor development.
Care After Kidney Transplant
To ensure the success of the graft, transplant recipients must strictly follow medical recommendations, including:
- Taking immunosuppressive medication consistently and at the prescribed times.
- Attending regular medical check-ups, including monitoring of blood pressure, weight, and temperature.
- Seeking immediate medical attention if warning signs appear, such as fever, decreased urine output, or swelling.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with moderate physical activity, a balanced diet, and avoiding tobacco use.
Immunosuppression and rejection
To prevent graft rejection, lifelong use of immunosuppressive medications is required.
The choice of treatment varies according to the patient’s profile, age, and immunological risk. The most commonly used drugs include tacrolimus, mycophenolate, sirolimus, everolimus, and corticosteroids.
In addition, monoclonal or polyclonal antibody therapies are often used in the immediate post-transplant period.
Where do we do it?
IN NAVARRA
The Nephrology Service
of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra
The Nephrology Service of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra has more than five decades of experience, both in the diagnosis and treatment of all kidney pathologies and in the transplant of this organ.
Our specialists have completed their training in centers of national and international reference.
We have the best facilities in the Dialysis Unit in order to offer the highest quality care to our patients.
Diseases we treat
- Edemas and internal environment
- Kidney function studies
- Glomerulonephritis
- Arterial hypertension
- Acute kidney failure
- Chronic renal failure
- Use of diuretics
Why at the Clinica?
- National reference in kidney transplantation, pioneer in living donor kidney transplantation.
- Specialized nursing for the care and follow-up of our patients.
- Cardiovascular and renal damage prevention program.
Our team of professionals
Nephrology specialists with experience in kidney transplantation
