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Evaluation of Renal Allograft Dysfunction

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Kidney Transplantation: A Guide to the Care of Kidney Transplant Recipients

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Abstract

Measuring renal function to monitor the status of a kidney allograft dates back to the earliest days of transplantation. Although numerous other techniques (including direct measurement of glomerular filtration rate [GFR], immunologic monitoring of blood or urine, gene expression, and surveillance biopsy) have been advanced as more accurate alternatives to detect allograft injury, serial measurement of serum creatinine levels remains the standard for assessing graft integrity. Each transplant center may have its own protocol for monitoring changes in renal function; Table offers a sample schedule that originated as part of a clinical guideline. Appropriate monitoring of allograft function also includes serial determination of urinary protein excretion.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation, Department of Medicine/Nephrology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Robert S. Gaston MD

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  1. Robert S. Gaston MD
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Correspondence to Robert S. Gaston MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Scripps Research Institute, N.Torrey Pines Rd. 10550, La Jolla, 92037, USA

    Dianne B. McKay

  2. Division of Transplantation, Sharp Memorial Hospital, Frost Street 7910, San Diego, 92123, USA

    Steven M. Steinberg

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Gaston, R.S. (2010). Evaluation of Renal Allograft Dysfunction. In: McKay, D., Steinberg, S. (eds) Kidney Transplantation: A Guide to the Care of Kidney Transplant Recipients. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1690-7_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1690-7_11

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