Chapter 14 – Indications for Renal Transplantation: Evaluation of Transplant Candidates

Kidney transplantation is currently the treatment of choice in patients with end-stage kidney disease and should be considered in most patients if there are no contraindications. Unfortunately, the demand for kidney transplants surpasses the supply of available organs, causing an increase in the number of patients on the waiting list, increase in the waiting time for a cadaveric kidney transplant and increase in the proportion of elderly patients undergoing kidney transplant. All transplant candidates should undergo pretransplant evaluation based on their underlying diseases and comorbidities to ensure the successful transplant outcome. Special attention should be given to patients with high cardiovascular risk factors, high risk or past history of malignancy, patients with active or occult infections and patients with specific underlying renal or systemic diseases.