Kidney organ allocation: reducing discards

Abstract

Purpose of review The donation and kidney transplant system in the United States is challenged with reducing the number of kidneys that are procured for transplant but ultimately discarded. That number can reach 20% of donated kidneys each year. Recent findings The reasons for these discards, in the face of overwhelming demand, are multiple. Summary The authors review the data supporting a number of potential causes for high discard rates as well as provide potential solutions to the problem.