Delayed graft function does not influence long-term outcome in cadaver kidney transplants without mismatch for HLA-DRB1.

The currently study focused on the influence of delayed graft function on the long-term graft success rate in cadaver kidneys without any mismatches for HLA-DRB1. Donor-recipient HLA-DRB1 was determined by the significant two-locus linkages of HLA-B and -DRB1. The overall 5-year graft success rate was 88% in an HLA-DRB1-compatible group, significantly higher than the 69% in an HLA-DRB1 mismatch group (P < 0.05) and the 66% in an HLA-DR mismatch (P < 0.01). Delayed graft function was observed in 182 of 223 transplants. This high incidence of 82% is due to the fact that, in Japan, kidney procurement may only occur after cardiac arrest. The incidence did not differ in each group. The 5-year success rate for grafts with delayed function was 87% in the HLA-DRB1-compatible group, again significantly superior to the 68% in the HLA-DRB1 mismatch group and the 63% in the HLA-DR mismatch cases (P < 0.05). There was, thus, no difference in graft success rate for each group, with or without delayed graft function. Consequently, we feel that delayed graft function has no impact on the long-term outcome in transplants without mismatches for HLA-DRB1.