Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation at the University of Pittsburgh

Clin Transpl. 1999:217-21.

Abstract

Analysis of the SPK program at the University of Pittsburgh has led to a number of observations: 1. Under tacrolimus-based immunosuppression, without antibody induction, it has been possible to achieve (a) One- and 3-year actuarial patient survival rates of 98% and 95% (b) One- and 3-year actuarial kidney survival rates of 95% and 87% (c) One- and 3-year actuarial pancreas survival rates of 86% and 80% 2. Steroid withdrawal has been achieved in over half of the successfully transplanted recipients, with excellent outcomes and a low rate (4.7%) of subsequent rejection. 3. Bone marrow augmentation has been associated with (a) less rejection (b) less pancreatic graft loss to rejection (c) an increased ability to withdraw steroids 4. Rejection has been associated with a rising serum lipase. 5. Renal allograft rejection in SPK patients with elevated serum lipase levels has been seen in the setting of normal renal function. 6. Enteric drainage has been associated with a reasonably low complication rate. 7. SPK transplantation is a successful therapeutic option in selected type I diabetics with end-stage renal disease.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / immunology
  • Cause of Death
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / surgery
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / surgery
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Graft Rejection / drug therapy
  • Graft Rejection / epidemiology
  • Graft Survival*
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy / methods
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / surgery
  • Kidney Transplantation / mortality
  • Kidney Transplantation / physiology
  • Kidney Transplantation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreas Transplantation / mortality
  • Pancreas Transplantation / physiology
  • Pancreas Transplantation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Pennsylvania
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate
  • Tacrolimus / therapeutic use
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tacrolimus