Predictive Value of Delayed Graft Function Definitions Following Donation After Circulatory Death Renal Transplantation in the United Kingdom

Purpose: A variety of definitions for delayed graft function (DGF) have been proposed, but none has consistently been shown to be superior for predicting long-term graft outcomes for kidney donation after circulatory death (DCD) transplantation. In this study, real-world clinical outcome data following DCD transplantation were explored to determine the value of various DGF definitions for predicting graft survival. Patients and Methods: Data from 4 centers registered in the UK-based National Health Service Blood and Transplant registry (2010 to mid-2015) were used to assess 4 definitions of DGF in this retrospective chart review study. Results: Depending on the definition used, the frequency of DGF ranged from 119/362 (32.9%) when DGF was determined with available registry data and based on a requirement for dialysis within 7 days post-transplantation, to 224/315 (71.1%) when based on failure to achieve a 10% fall in serum creatinine (SCr) versus baseline per 24 hours averaged over the first 72 hours. Patients without clinical DGF as determined by a physician upon chart review, or when defined as <30% reduction in baseline SCr within 7 days post-transplantation with or without dialysis, had significantly better graft survival probability 1 year (hazard ratio 2.08 and 4.48, respectively) and 5 years post-transplant, whereas serum creatinine level over the first 72 hours post-transplant was not predictive of graft survival at 1 year. Patients with clinical DGF upon physician chart review also had higher SCr, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate levels, and were dialyzed more (2.3 days) versus patients without (0.2 days). Conclusion: Delayed graft function, determined clinically or using a functional definition, is associated with poorer renal function and remains a useful predictor of graft survival at 1 year after DCD kidney transplantation. not have DGF by these definitions had better kidney function at 30 days and at 1 year following their transplant. In conclusion, DGF using these definitions may help to predict long-term outcomes after DCD kidney transplantation.