Transplant Criteria

[prospector]

Are there any "general guidelines" regarding the maximum age that a transplant is considered (or not)? I realize there are many varibles in each case but I have heard different stories regarding the age issue.

[jbeany]

Depends on the center, and if you are talking about how old a live donor can be or how old the recipient can be.  I think they probably give more leeway on the donor, depending on the health.

Seems like my center said they don't encourage over 65, but I didn't pay that much attention at the time.

[okarol]

Oldest kidney transplant recipient was 77 years old  - http://www.fairviewtransplant.org/kidney/index.asp

Age Shouldn’t be a Factor in Kidney Transplantation, Researchers Say  - http://www1.wfubmc.edu/news/NewsArticle.htm?Articleid=1556

[RichardMEL]

I'm not sure if this is what the OP is asking, but at the kidney transplant seminar (info for patients) I attended recently the question was asked about the oldest live donor they would consider taking a kidney from and they answered 60-65 was generally the limit.

[prospector]

My main concern was the age of the recipient. I will be 65 next month and I haven't been able to give a good answer for thr recipients age. Since we will be either 8 hrs, or 5 hrs. from the transplant center (depending which one will accept me) I would rather not go through a lot of testing and trips to find later that my age would prohibit my getting a transplant. Hopefully I will find out more this Thurs. when I go back for my monthly testing.

[lruffner]

Are you allowed to be that far away?? My hospital only allows 4 hours for kidney and it is different depending on the organ.