ABO-incompatible transplants account for <1 per cent of overall kidney transplants in India
Kauvery Hospital Chennai, a unit of Kauvery Specialty Hospitals, a healthcare chain in Tamil Nadu, performed a successful ABO-incompatible kidney transplant on a 29-year-old man. The patient had recently recovered from COVID-19 and hence the antibodies against the infection were naturally present in his blood.
An ABO incompatible kidney transplant is a more advanced and complex procedure that requires the right expertise and treatment methods. In this scenario, the team of experts will help the patient to prepare his body much before the transplant, depending on the antibody count in his blood. Post-transplant care is also crucial, as the patient has to be monitored for smooth function of the kidney and also it has to be ensured that the patient is free from infections.
Speaking on this patient, Dr R Balasubramaniyam, Chief Nephrologist, Kauvery Hospital Chennai says, “We started the treatments of lowering the antibodies, two weeks before the transplant, but the challenge here was that we had to ensure the COVID antibodies were not lowered significantly making him vulnerable to infection.”
Upon regular monitoring and tests, we found both the donor and patient to be physically fit, and the antibody count in the patient was ideal for the transplant. “The transplant was successful and the donor was discharged within three days. The patient was kept under observation to monitor any abnormalities in Kidney functions and detecting infections. After a week the patient was back home, and he is now leading a better quality of life,” added Dr Balasubramaniyam.
Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-founder and Executive Director, Kauvery Hospital Chennai, says, “ABO-incompatible Kidney transplant accounts for <1 per cent of overall kidney transplants in India. However, there is still a significant number of patients with kidney failure on dialysis who do not find the blood group compatible donor on time. This technique of ABO-incompatible transplant helps such patients to get the transplant done at the right time, thus avoiding longer wait time and poor quality of life.”
