Influence of the Rh (D) blood group system on graft survival in renal transplantation.
BACKGROUND
The Rh (D) blood group system has not traditionally been considered to be a clinically relevant histocompatibility barrier in transplantation since conflicting results of its clinical importance have been reported.


METHODS
We analyzed 786 consecutive primary cadaveric renal transplants performed by transplant centers in our Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) between 1990 and 1997. We also analyzed United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data on 26,469 kidney transplants done from April 1994 to June 1996.


RESULTS
Multivariate analysis revealed that Rh identity between the recipient and donor was significantly related to better graft outcome (risk ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.30 to 0.61; P=0.0001). Multivariate analysis of the UNOS data revealed that the Rh -/- group may have a positive influence on graft survival with a risk ratio of 0.43 (P=0.14).


CONCLUSIONS
Multivariate analysis of primary cadaveric renal allografts performed within the Midwest Organ Bank OPO indicates that Rh (D) is a clinically relevant histocompatibility barrier that influences 7-year graft survival.
Bryan
C F
CF
Midwest Organ Bank, Inc., Westwood, Kansas 66205, USA.
Mitchell
S I
SI
Lin
H M
HM
Nelson
P W
PW
Shield
C F
CF
Luger
A M
AM
Pierce
G E
GE
Ross
G
G
Warady
B A
BA
Aeder
M I
MI
Helling
T S
TS
Landreneau
M D
MD
Harrell
K M
KM
D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching; D002102:Cadaver; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D019520:Living Donors; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000458:organization & administration; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System