"Expanded donor criteria" and failed transplant question

[Sara]

Joe got a letter in the mail asking if he wants to be put on the list for expanded donor criteria - basically, less than "perfect" organs.  They (Mayo) say that there's an additional 5% risk the transplant wouldn't be functioning after a year, but that he may get an organ quicker.  Has anyone gone on that list? 

My other question is, say you get a transplant and 1 month later (or however long) it fails.  Obviously you go back on the list, but do you start back at the bottom?

[Rerun]

We had a big discussion on the Expnaded list and I'll try and find if for you.  Here it is:

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=2608.0

Good question on the placement after a failed kidney. 

[Ginger]

I accepted an extended criteria kidney April 5, 2007 and so far it is functioning well. I am 62 and it came from someone age 54 who died from a stroke. It took longer to begin functioning and the creatinine has not gone lower than 1.4 but for me that sure beats a creat of 9. I was told that if the kidney failed in the first 30 days that I would return to my same place on the list.  You can be put on the ecd list but you always have the option to say no, if you do not like the sound or age of the kidney.

[jbeany]

My transplant doc said he only reccommended ECD kidneys to those who were not doing well on dialysis.  If it's not working for you, then the 5% odds are still better than the risk of dying from inadequate dialysis.  He also said a number of older patients with additional health problems that might worsen and quickly bump them off the list were also good candidates for ECD's.  He said he never recommends them for younger patients who are getting adequate dialysis.

Just my doc's  on the matter, if it helps any.

[paris]

I have an older friend that received an ECD kidney 2 years ago and is doing great.  Chuck is in his late 60's and not doing well before the transplant. He got his in 22 months.  Worked for him!