What is included in the evaluation for donation?
Ans. 1. ABO blood group 2. Psychology evaluation 3. Routine examination by physician 4. Blood and urine tests 5. Women will need a gynecology exam and a mammogram for some women (breast cancer screen). 6. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) testing or “tissue typing” and crossmatch 7. Electrocardiogram (EKG) and cardiac evaluation 8. Chest x-ray 9. History and physical examination by an adult kidney specialist 10. Radiology (X-ray) testing (Renal ultrasound and renal arteriogram), DTPA scan for each kidney function 11. Surgical evaluation and meeting with the surgeon who will remove the kidney Q. What is HLA-typing or “tissue typing”? What is a tissue crossmatch? Ans. HLA typing is a blood test that determines the major antigens or proteins that make each person different. Six antigens are important in kidney transplant. Tissue typing will let us know how many antigens the donor shares with a recipient, or what the “match” is. A crossmatch is a test done with the donor and recipient’s blood.
