title: Evaluation and selection of potential live kidney donors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Renal transplantation is an optimal therapy for patients with end stage kidney disease. A thorough evaluation of potential donors is necessary to provide the best functional outcome for recipients and ensure no or minimal morbidity for donors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1992 and 2001, 1661 ABO compatible potential living donors were evaluated clinically as well as by laboratory and imaging studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1661 potential donors 814 (49%) were excluded. The reasons for elimination were general medical reasons in 34.4% of cases, nephrological disorders in 25.6%, urological diseases in 11.7% and immunological causes in 16.2%. Exclusion on an ethical basis accounted for 12.2% of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although kidneys from living donors provide the best functional outcome, 50% of potential candidates must be excluded.
authors.affiliation: Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ehab W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Wafa
authors.forename: Ahmed F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Donia
authors.forename: Bedeir
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ali-El-Dein
authors.forename: Amgad E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: El-Agroudy
authors.forename: Ayman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rifaie
authors.forename: Amani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moustafa
authors.forename: Mohamed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ghoneim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D014019:Tissue Donors