What Happens If You Are Matched with a Deceased Donor While Looking for a Living Donor?
If you need a kidney transplant and are open to a kidney from either a deceased or a living donor, you may be looking for a living donor while also waiting for a match with a deceased donor.
So, what happens if while you are searching for a living donor, you are notified that a deceased donor match has become available? Should you go with the sure thing, the deceased donor kidney, or hold out for the chance to find a living donor kidney?
The decision between accepting a deceased donor kidney immediately or waiting for a living donor match is a complex one that requires careful consideration. Both options have significant benefits and potential drawbacks.
If you are actively searching for a living kidney donor but are notified that a deceased donor match has been found, there are several things to consider:
Timing: Deceased donor kidneys need to be transplanted within a specific window—typically within 24 to 36 hours from retrieval. If you’re on the transplant list and a match is found, the transplant center will notify you promptly. The urgency of the situation often means you must make a decision quickly.
Medical Suitability: A deceased donor’s kidney will be evaluated for medical suitability based on several factors, including the donor’s health history and how long the kidney was preserved before being transplanted. If a deceased donor kidney is a better match for your medical needs compared to your living donor options, you might opt for the deceased donor transplant.
Decision Between Living and Deceased Donor: While living donor kidneys typically offer better long-term outcomes than deceased donor kidneys, a deceased donor kidney that is available immediately means you can receive a transplant sooner. For more on deceased versus living donor kidneys, see Is a Living Donor Kidney Better than a Deceased Donor Kidney?
Availability of a Living Donor: If you already have a potential living donor, receiving a match from a deceased donor doesn’t necessarily mean the living donor process stops. In some cases, if the living donor has already undergone the required medical evaluations, the team might continue the living donor process while you consider the deceased donor offer. If you choose to accept the deceased donor kidney and your living donor is donating through the National Kidney Registry, they can still donate on your behalf, generating a voucher that you can redeem in case you ever need another transplant in the future.
What Should You Do?
If you find yourself in a situation where a deceased donor match is available while you’re looking for a living donor, here are a few steps you can take:
Consult Your Transplant Team: Your transplant team can help guide you through the decision process, evaluating both options based on medical data, compatibility, and your personal circumstances.
Evaluate Timing and Urgency: If the deceased donor kidney is immediately available, this may influence your decision to accept it sooner rather than later. Living donor arrangements can sometimes take longer to finalize, so time might be a factor in your decision.
Consider Long-Term Outcomes: While living donor kidneys tend to perform better in the long run, accepting a deceased donor kidney could save you significant waiting time. Discuss the long-term implications with your medical team, particularly how the kidney function and survival rates compare between deceased and living donor kidneys.
Stay Informed: Understand that transplant lists and matching processes can change. What seems like a good option today might shift tomorrow. Stay in close contact with your transplant team and ensure you’re informed about any developments in your match.