At the end of one year after a kidney transplantation, the transplanted kidney still functions in 83% of cases after a cadaver donation; in contrast, in 93% of cases after a living donation. Five years after organ transfer, the function rate is 66% for cadaveric and 80% for living donation. The better results after living donation are due to a shorter ischemic time due to better logistics and probably to a better cooperation of the patient regarding the treatment guidelines (compliance).
The ischemia time refers to the time between organ removal and implantation, during which the donor kidney is not supplied with blood, i.e. ischemia (blood supply stops) is present. The prognosis for the life expectancy of renal function after a kidney transplantation is improved by treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension) (below 135/85 mmHg), high blood lipids (hypertriglyceridemia), loss of protein in the urine (proteinuria), weight loss and smoking cessation (nicotine withdrawal). The most frequent causes of death after kidney transplantation are cardiovascular complications (50%), infections (30%) and malignant tumors (10%).
