Abstract: FR-PO1008
Epidemiology of Kidney Transplantation Across the Americas
Session Information
- Transplantation: Clinical - Pretransplantation, Living Donation, and Policies
November 07, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Transplantation
- 2102 Transplantation: Clinical
Authors
- Garcia, Pablo, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Canté López, Ana Gabriela, Hospital General San Juan de Dios, Guatemala City, Guatemala Department, Guatemala
- Perez, Elio, Hospital General San Juan de Dios, Guatemala City, Guatemala Department, Guatemala
- Guevara-Pineda, Daniel, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Moreno, Rodolfo Alejandro, Centro Medico Militar, Guatemala City, Guatemala Department, Guatemala
- Argyropoulos, Christos, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Background
Kidney transplantation (KT) remains the preferred RRT modality, offering the best chance of long-term survival and enhanced quality of life. Understanding KT epidemiology is important to identifying disparities, strengthening transplant networks, allocating resources, and developing public health interventions. This study presents a current epidemiological overview of KT practices across the Americas
Methods
Kidney transplantation data were obtained from the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation transplant repository, a collaborative initiative between the WHO and the Spanish National Transplant Organization. We collected data for 2023 which is the latest data available in the repository.
Results
Significant heterogeneity in KT practices is observed across the Americas. The United States leads the region in overall and per million population (PMP) kidney transplants (82.8 TXPs PMP), primarily relying on deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT) (77.7%). Mexico, impressively, performs the second highest number of living donor kidney transplants (LDKT) annually in the region (2164), with LDKT accounting for 70.2% of its transplants. Within South America, Brazil and Argentina are the primary leaders in DDKT, with 5283 and 1311 transplants, respectively. The Caribbean exhibits the lowest access to KT, with rates ranging from 0 to 7 KTs PMP, with LDKT being the primary source of KTs. In contrast, Central American countries predominantly utilize LDKT as their primary source of kidneys, observing significant DDKT activity in Panama and Costa Rica.
Conclusion
The heterogeneity of KT practices across the Americas highlights strengths in DDKT and LDKT programs. Further research into successful local practices is essential to inform and implement strategies in areas with lower DDKT, LDKT, or overall KT rates, aiming to improve regional access and outcomes.