Are there any contraindications to kidney transplantation?

There are some absolute and relative contraindications to kidney transplantation. Absolute contraindications include

• Insufficient cardiac reserve

• Active cancer; untreated or progressive

• Ongoing illicit substance abuse

• Uncontrolled serious psychiatric illness

• Active infection

• Anatomy that does not make transplant technically possible

Relative contraindications include

• History of noncompliance with medical management; patient must demonstrate compliance for a specified period of time before consideration for transplantation

• History of cancer with no active disease at this time; decided on a case-by-case basis

• History of infection; must be free of infection at the time of transplantation

• Pregnancy

• Morbid obesity; body mass index greater than 40

• History of substance abuse

• Age equal to or over 80 years of age

Please speak directly with your proposed transplant center before you decide that you are not a candidate. Everyone who is interested in receiving a renal transplant should undergo an evaluation. Renal transplant programs can vary in what they consider a relative contraindication.