Renal transplantation at the University of Minnesota during the 1980s.

1. There have been 1,225 renal allografts performed at the University of Minnesota between January 1, 1980 and May 31, 1987. Significant risk factors for graft survival include donor type, retransplantation, and age at time of transplant. In addition, diabetes is a significant risk factor in patient survival. 2. Three immunosuppressive regimens have been used during this time period: AZA + P + ALG, CsA + P, and CsA + AZA + P (+ ALG for CAD grafts). The 3 protocols have been received by 411, 205, and 356 primary renal allograft recipients, respectively. No overall differences between the therapies exist with respect to graft or patient survival. However, females, recipients of CAD organs (especially the recipient with diabetes), and patients 18-50 years of age at transplant have improved graft survival results using CsA + AZA + P (+ ALG). Females and the 18-50-year-old recipients also have improved results with respect to patient survival. 3. The 3 protocols [AZA + P + ALG; CsA + P; and CsA + AZA + P + ALG] have been used for 125, 112, and 174 primary recipients of CAD organs, respectively. Recipients of CsA + AZA + P + ALG have significantly better graft survival overall in the diabetic and poorly matched subgroups. Other high-risk (but small sample size) subgroups show statistically nonsignificant, but clinically important, improvements. These groups include patients over 50 years of age, patients with preformed antibodies, as well as those with compatible ABO blood types. Similar trends exist with respect to patient survival. 4. Risk factor analysis of all patients receiving CsA + AZA + P (+ ALG) indicates that donor type, retransplantation, and age at the time of transplant are still serious risk factors for graft survival. Only age at transplant influences patient survival significantly. 5. The failure to find any significant risk factors in primary recipients of CAD organs in the CsA + AZA + P(+ ALG) era, combined with the generally consistent good graft and patient survival rates, suggest that the traditionally high-risk patient can be successfully transplanted with excellent results. 6. Pediatric patients can be successfully transplanted with results equivalent to 18-50-year-old patients and better than those recipients over 50 years of age at the time of transplant. Random transfusions and combination therapy are at least as good as DST and AZA + P + ALG.