title: Transplant in the 21st century.
abstract: Organ transplantation has enriched and prolonged the lives of many patients who otherwise would have died of organ failure. Many of these advances, which occurred in the later part of the 20th century, are due to improved techniques and pharmacological management. Today, almost every organ can be transplanted. However, donor and recipient criteria can vary widely according to the organ(s) in question. This article reviews the historical changes that have occurred in transplant along with current criteria for donors and recipients, and describes the newest outreach to increase the donor pool.
authors.affiliation: Kim Zuber practices at Metropolitan Nephrology in Alexandria, Va., and is AAPA Outstanding PA of the Year. Tricia Howard is director of preclinical education at South University in Savannah, Ga., and chair of the National Kidney Foundation's council of advanced practitioners. Jane Davis is a nurse practitioner at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a member of the National Kidney Foundation's board of directors and the American Society of Nephrology's CME committee. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zuber
authors.forename: Tricia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D005544:Forecasting; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000266:history*; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000266:history*; D014850:Waiting Lists