Sequential quadruple immunosuppression including Sirolimus in extended criteria and nonheartbeating donor kidney transplantation

The aim was to evaluate feasibility and safety of calcineurin inhibitor-free immunosuppression in high-risk donor kidney transplantation with sequential sirolimus introduction. Kidney transplant patients (n = 76) with a donor aged > 60years, donor with acute renal failure, ora nonheartbeating donor were included. Immunosuppression consisted of antithymocyte globulin or basiliximab, mycophenolate mofetil, prednisone, and sequential introduction of sirolimus. One-year patient survival was 96.2% and 95.8%; graft survival was 94.2% and 91.7%; acute rejection rates were 21.2% and 12.4%; delayed graft function was 21.2% and 66.7%; and creatinine clearance was 58 +/- 20 mL/min and 56- 21 mL/min for the brain-dead donor group and the nonheartbeating donor group, respectively. Most adverse events were infections, but also three lymphoceles, three urinary fistulas, three wound seromas. Sequential sirolimus introduction in high-risk donor kidney transplantation was found to lead to good patient and graft survival and incidence of acute rejection and delayed graft function.