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A Leader in Kidney Transplant Survival Rates
About 20 million Americans suffer from kidney disease, a progressive condition that eventually leads to kidney failure. When a person’s kidneys fail, he or she has two options: dialysis or kidney transplantation.
While dialysis maintains life, kidney transplantation provides more complete restoration of kidney function and is associated with a higher quality of life than chronic dialysis for people who are considered transplant candidates.
A Leader in Survival RatesSince 1967, the Kidney Transplant Program at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin has performed nearly 3,200 kidney transplants (not including combined kidney/ pancreas transplants).
Froedtert & the Medical College lead Region 7 (includes Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota) in kidney transplant survival rates, according to data released by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. The one-year survival rate for a kidney transplant patient at Froedtert & the Medical College is 99.2 percent, 3 percent higher than the national average.
“Experience is vital. Our cumulative transplant experience exceeds that of other programs in the region.” said Christopher Johnson, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin transplant surgeon and director of the Froedtert & the Medical College Transplant Center.
Many diseases can affect the kidneys. In adults, the most common causes of end-stage kidney disease (complete kidney failure) are diabetes, high blood pressure and autoimmune disorders such as lupus. Congenital disorders can also lead to kidney failure. These conditions cause scarring of the kidneys, reducing their ability to get rid of waste products.
When kidney function is only 15 percent to 20 percent normal, a person starts to have symptoms of kidney failure, such as high blood pressure, fluid buildup, nausea and fatigue. As kidney function declines, these symptoms progress.
Today, Froedtert & the Medical College perform 120 to 140 kidney and kidney and/or pancreas transplants each year. Patients can receive a transplant from a living donor or from a deceased donor. Through the End-Stage Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplant programs, a team of specialists, including surgeons, nephrologists, endocrinologists, nurses, social workers, coordinators, dietitians and psychologists, works closely with patients from initial evaluation through post-transplantation.
Source: Froedtert Today Date: August 2008 |
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