Kidney
Effective Jan. 5, 2023, kidney programs are required to assess their waiting lists and correct waiting times for any Black kidney candidates disadvantaged by having their kidney function overestimated due to use of a race-inclusive calculation. Learn more about the board action.
Patient brochures & FAQs
Information for patients and families to understand and navigate organ donation and transplantation:
The kidney
Functions of the kidney
The kidneys are a pair of reddish-brown, bean-shaped organs. They are located on either side of the spine just below the diaphragm, behind the liver and stomach.
The kidneys do a number of things to clean the blood and support overall health. These functions include:
- Filtering out extra water and waste through making urine
- Helping control blood pressure and production of red blood cells
- Helping balance levels of key chemicals (electrolytes) in the blood
Renal failure happens when the kidneys cannot remove wastes and maintain electrolyte balance. Acute renal failure is when the kidneys cannot make urine. This leads to a buildup of wastes in the body. It can also lead to other problems such as:
- Trauma
- Burns
- Infection
- Obstruction of the urinary tract
Treatment depends on the cause and level of kidney disease. It often includes antibiotics and reduction of fluid intake.
Chronic kidney failure may occur as a result of many systemic disorders. It can cause:
- Fatigue and sluggishness
- Less urine output, anemia
- High blood pressure
- Congestive heart failure
As kidney failure worsens, it may be treated through the use of diuretics and/or restricted protein intake. If it cannot be otherwise treated the final options are dialysis and/or transplantation.
Kidney transplant procedures
A kidney may be transplanted from a deceased or a living donor.
In deceased donor transplantation, most commonly one kidney is transplanted. In some cases, depending on the donor’s size or level of kidney function, both kidneys may be transplanted.
In a living donor transplant, one kidney is transplanted from an individual who:
- Is in good overall health
- Has been rigorously tested to ensure he or she can function with the other kidney
- Has given consent after being informed of the possible risks of living donation
Reasons for kidney transplants
| Kidney diagnosis categories | Kidney diagnoses |
|---|---|
| Glomerular Diseases |
Anti-GBM Chronic Glomerulonephritis: Unspecified Chronic Glomerulosclerosis: Unspecified Focal Glomerularsclerosis Idio/Post-Inf Crescentic Glomerulonephritis IGA Nephropathy Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Membranous Glomerulonephritis Mesangiocapillary 1 Glomerulonephritis Mesangiocapillary 2 Glomerulonephritis Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Alport’s Syndrome Amyloidosis Membranous Nephropathy Goodpasture’s Syndrome Henoch-Schoenlein Purpura Sickle Cell Anemia Wegener’s Granulomatosis |
| Diabetes |
Diabetes: Type I Insulin Dependent/Juvenile Onset Diabetes: Type II Insulin Dependent/Adult Onset Diabetes: Type I Non-insulin Dependent/Juvenile Onset Diabetes: Type II Non-insulin Dependent/Adult Onset |
| Polycystic Kidneys |
Polycystic Kidneys |
| Hypertensive Nephrosclerosis |
Hypertensive Nephrosclerosis |
| Renovascular and Other Vascular Diseases |
Chronic Nephrosclerosis: Unspecified Malignant Hypertension Polyarteritis Progressive Systemic Sclerosis Renal Artery Thrombosis Scleroderma |
| Congenital, Rare Familial, and Metabolic Disorders |
Congenital Obstructive Uropathy Cystinosis Fabry’s Disease Hypoplasia/Dysplasia/Dysgenesis/Agenesis Medullary Cystic Disease Nephrophthisis Prune Belly Syndrome |
| Tubular and Interstitial Diseases |
Acquired Obstructive Nephropathy Analgesic Nephropathy Antibiotic-induced Nephritis Cancer Chemotherapy-Induced Nephritis Chronic Pyelonephritis/Reflex Nephropathy Gout Nephritis Nephrolithiasis Oxalate Nephropathy Radiation Nephritis Acute Tubular Necrosis Cortical Necrosis Cyclosporin Nephrotoxicity Heroin Nephrotoxicity Sarcoidosis Urolithiasis |
| Neoplasms |
Incidental Carcinoma Lymphoma Myeloma Renal Cell Carcinoma Wilms’ Tumor |
| Retransplant/Graft Failure |
Retransplant/Graft Failure |
| Other |
Other Rheumatoid Arthritis Other Familial Nephropathy |
